BUENOS AIRES, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's River Plate secured a berth in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 with a 6-2 home win over Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle on Thursday.
Sebastian Driussi put the hosts ahead at Estadio Monumental by firing home from close range after Lucas Martinez Quarta's headed flick.
But Michael Hoyos and Claudio Spinelli struck in quick succession as the visitors took the lead with less than 22 minutes gone.
Luis Zarate gifted River an equalizer with an own goal, but worse was to come for Independiente as Mateo Carabajal was sent off on the stroke of halftime for a rash challenge on teenager Franco Mastantuono. The latter continued his prolific scoring form by calmly dispatching the resultant penalty.
River maintained its attacking momentum and Maximiliano Meza thumped home a long-range effort six minutes after the restart to double his side's lead.
Colombian striker Miguel Borja added a fifth goal by slotting a right-footed shot into the far corner after combining with compatriot Kevin Castano.
Former West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini completed the rout with a 20-yard drive in the 94th minute as the Buenos Aires outfit registered its third win of the campaign.
The result leaves River top of Group B with 11 points from five outings, four points ahead of second-placed Universitario.
Independiente del Valle is third with five points and must win its final group match against Barcelona SC, while hoping that Universitario loses to River Plate, to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.
In other Copa Libertadores fixtures on Thursday, Talleres Cordoba won 2-0 at home to Alianza Lima, Internacional prevailed 2-0 at Nacional, Flamengo secured a 2-0 home win over LDU Quito and Palmeiras won 2-0 at home to Bolivar. ■
