Despite concerns from Cruzeiro officials about the H1N1 outbreak in Argentina, the 1st leg of the Copa Libertadores final went off as scheduled. The atmosphere was intense at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata as Estudiantes La Plata hosted Cruzeiro.

The two teams were in Group 5 of the group stage of the tournament. The Brazilians won the group, as they defeated Estudiantes 3-0 at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte in their 1st game. Estudiantes won the 2nd meeting 4-0 at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata. Despite all the goals in their previous matches in the group stage, with a trophy on the line, the two teams played to a 0-0 scoreline in the 1st leg of the 50th Copa Libertadores final.

After the smoke cleared from the opening pyrotechnics and flares from an excited crowd, the teams could get down to the business of trying to put their name on the Libertadores trophy. The match was a tight affair featuring an attack-minded home Estudiantes side and a calm defensive-minded visiting Cruzeiro team.

The Argentinians came out firing but were constantly denied by Cruzeiro captain, goalkeeper Fabio. In the 12th minute, Fabio saved a bending free kick by Estudiantes captain Juan Sebastián Verón. 5 minutes later, Fabio came up big again when Estudiantes forward Enzo Pérez broke into the box down the right side and blasted a shot that Fabio deflected over the bar. Just before half-time Verón volleyed a shot from 5 meters outside the box that was saved again by Fabio.

In the 2nd half, Fabio came to the rescue again saving back to back excellent opportunities by Estudiantes. Mauro Boselli was on the receiving end of an excellent through ball but his shot was denied by Fabio. The subsequent corner kick was headed by Estudiantes defender Leandro Desábato but Fabio's diving save kept the Estudiantes faithful from celebrating.

Cruzeiro mounted some pressure on the Estudiantes goal the last 25 minutes of the game with the best opportunity coming in the 80th minute when Cruzeiro's #10 Wagner sent in a bending ball from the left side that Estudiantes' keeper Mariano Andujar poorly judged and knocked right to Kléber who had a wide open goal in front of him as he stood just outside the 6 meter box. Kléber missed as Cruzeiro's chance at an important away goal and victory flew wide of the net.

By the time Uruguayan referee, Jorge Larrionda blew the final whistle neither side had scored and 0-0 would be the final result of the 1st leg. It was a scrappy and physical affair with 7 yellow cards and 2 bloodied Estudiantes players. The winner of 50th Copa Libertadores de América will be determined on Wednesday, July 15 in Brazil in Belo Horizonte at Cruzeiro's home ground of Estadio Mineirão.