Argentina's River Plate Santiago Simon (second, right) shoots to score over Peru's Alianza Lima goalkeeper Angelo Campos (right) during their Copa Libertadores group stage football match, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on May 25, 2022. (JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

BUENOS AIRES - Manchester City-bound forward Julian Alvarez scored six goals as Argentine giants River Plate cruised to an 8-1 home victory over Alianza Lima in their Copa Libertadores group match on Thursday.

Alvarez netted three times in each half while Santiago Simon and Elias Gomez were also on target for the hosts

Alvarez, who will join the recently crowned Premier League champions in the summer, netted three times in each half while Santiago Simon and Elias Gomez were also on target for the hosts.

Pablo Lavandeira converted a late penalty for the Peruvian outfit after Arley Rodriguez was brought down by Paulo Diaz.

The result guaranteed River the top spot in Group F ahead of the knockout phase with 16 points from six matches. Meanwhile, Alianza Lima is last with just one point so far.

Argentina's River Plate Julian Alvarez (left) and Peru's Alianza Lima Uruguayan Pablo Miguez vie for the ball during their Copa Libertadores group stage football match, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on May 25, 2022. (JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

In other Copa Libertadores fixtures on Wednesday, Deportes Tolima won 2-1 at Atletico Mineiro, hosts Penarol defeated Colon 1-0, Independiente del Valle routed America Mineiro 3-0 in Ecuador, Olimpia won 1-0 at Cerro Porteno and Fortaleza prevailed 4-3 at Colo Colo. 

READ MORE: Estudiantes ease past Velez Sarsfield in Copa Libertadores