BELO HORITZONTE. Brazil (AP) — Brazil's Atletico Mineiro beat Argentina's River Plate 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal on Tuesday to edge closer to playing the decider of the tournament for the second time in its history.
Striker Deyverson opened the scoring in Belo Horizonte in the 22nd minute after dribbling past goalkeeper Franco Armani. The Brazilian added the second in the 70th minute in a crossed shot. Paulinho put the Brazilians closer to the final four minutes later.
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Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, right, and Ignacio Fernandez of Argentina's River Plate battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Facundo Colidio of Argentina's River Plate carries the ball followed by Fausto Vera of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, right, during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez of Argentina's River Plate, left, is challenged by Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Adam Bareiro of Argentina's River Plate reacts after Deyverson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro scored his side's second goal during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, left, and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez of Argentina's River Plate battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Fans of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro light flares as they celebrate their team's 3-0 victory over Argentina's River Plate in a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Deyverson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Argentina's River Plate during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Atletico Mineiro won the Copa Libertadores in 2013.
Brazil's Botafogo and Uruguay's Peñarol will play their semifinal first leg on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian teams have won the tournament for the past five years.
The final will be played on Nov. 30 at Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, right, and Ignacio Fernandez of Argentina's River Plate battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Facundo Colidio of Argentina's River Plate carries the ball followed by Fausto Vera of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, right, during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez of Argentina's River Plate, left, is challenged by Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Adam Bareiro of Argentina's River Plate reacts after Deyverson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro scored his side's second goal during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Hulk of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, left, and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez of Argentina's River Plate battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Fans of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro light flares as they celebrate their team's 3-0 victory over Argentina's River Plate in a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
Deyverson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Argentina's River Plate during a Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg soccer match at MRV arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Santos)
