ASUNCIÓN, Jul 28 (SW) - Libertad and Internacional achieved a 0-0 draw in their Copa Libertadores semi-final first leg played on Thursday night in Asunción.

Early on the match went back and forth on both ends, but Internacional nearly broke through in the 12th minute after a defensive breakdown by Libertad, but striker Rafael Sóbis was only able to fire into the side of the net from a tight angle.

Eight minutes later, Sóbis played the ball out to the top of the area for midfielder Edinho, but his effort was well high of the target and the danger passed for Libertad.

Jorge Wagner might have given the Brazilians the lead in the 29th minute when the ball came to him outside the penalty area, but his laser shot deflected off of teammate Sóbis in the area when it appeared it was headed for the target.

Internacional's dominance of the scoring chances continued four minutes later as Fernandão took a nifty touch off his chest and got around a defender, but his dipping shot from 25 yards just missed over the top.

But Libertad then had two chances better than all of Internacional's in the 35th minute and were twice unlucky to take the lead.

The first came when veteran midfielder Pablo Guiñazú struck the ball from inside the area off of the goalpost, and the second when Rodrigo López shot right at goalkeeper Clemer after a fine service by Cristian Riveros from the left.

Wagner, though, came back for the visitors with a thumping drive in the 53rd minute that Clemer did well to save, and he also handled the ensuing corner that was headed on target by Fabiano Eller.

Sóbis kept his magic up in the second half with a nice centering pass to the top of the area for Fernandão in the 55th minute, but his shot was over the top on the half-volley attempt.

Substitute Nelson Romero came close for Libertad in the 65th minute, but Internacional were right back on the attacking foot and Sóbis fired wide five minutes later with a good scoring chance.

Libertad pushed toward the end and looked very dangerous as they tried to get through a solid Internacional defense, and Riveros was incredibly unlucky not to give Libertad the win in the 87th minute.

The Paraguay international midfielder fired a shot from the edge of the area that crashed against the crossbar and then hit the back of goalkeeper Clemer without his knowing and then went wide of the post for a corner kick.

The teams meet again in a week in Porto Alegre.