The first leg of the 2016 Copa Libertadores final sees a side that has never progressed this far before take on a former winner. With Quito providing the setting, surprise package Independiente del Valle will play host to Atletico Nacional, who are appearing in their first final in 21 years, all of which should make for an entertaining two legs.
FIFA.com sets the scene for the first Copa Libertadores final not to feature a Brazilian or Argentinian side since 1991.
The match
Independiente del Valle (ECU) v Atletico Nacional (COL)
Estadio Atahualpa, Quito, Wednesday 20 July, 19.45 (local time)
Reaching the final for the first time at the third attempt, the Ecuadorians will go head-to-head with the 1989 champions in a final few could have predicted. Having proved themselves to be strong at the back, both sides can count on very dependable goalkeepers and on forwards who have shown they can deliver when the pressure is on. 
Independiente del Valle’s Uruguayan coach Pablo Repetto has convinced his players of what they can achieve despite their underdog status. During the course of a campaign that has taken everyone by surprise they have knocked out defending champions River Plate and fellow continental giants Boca Juniors, while also punching above their weight to see off the likes of Pumas UNAM. Those victories were all produced by the efforts of a core of players who have been together for the last five years.
Similarly, El Verde de la Montaña have also been indebted to the experience of coach Reinaldo Rueda, who has brought balance to a side with no little individual talent. In the group phase, the Colombian outfit reeled off six clean sheets and collected more points than anyone, enabling them to play the second legs of their knockout ties at home, an advantage they will also enjoy in the final. Runners-up in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana, Atletico Nacional now have the opportunity to make history.
The stakes
Home advantage
In progressing through the competition, both finalists have made the most of playing at home. Of their seven games on Ecuadorian soil, Independiente del Valle have won six and drawn one, while their Colombian opponents have won five out of their six home matches, with the other ending in a draw.
Potential match-winners
Jose Angulo and Junior Sornoza are Independiente del Valle’s leading scorers in this year’s Copa Libertadores, with six goals apiece, hauls that have helped the Ecuadorian outsiders become the revelation of the tournament. Team-mate Bryan Cabezas lies not far behind them and scored in both legs of the semi-final defeat of Boca.
Miguel Angel Borja has made an instant impact with Los Verdolagas, helping himself to four goals in two games. With his performances in the group phase and his late, late winner against Rosario Central, Orlando Berrio has been every bit as influential, as has Marlos Moreno, the 19-year-old jewel in the Atletico crown.
The duel
Librado Azcona v Franco Armani
Azcona and Armani have been the two best goalkeepers in the competition, having both made crucial contributions in their teams’ compelling runs to the final. The Independiente del Valle custodian showed his skill and character in the away leg against River Plate at the Monumental, keeping out virtually everything thrown at him. His performance against Boca Juniors at the Bombonera was no less assured. For his part, the Atletico shot-stopper did not let in a single goal in the group phase, while his spectacular stops against Huracan in the last 16 and Rosario Central in the quarter-finals proved decisive.
Did you know?
Independiente del Valle have the chance to become only the second team to play in the first stage and go on to win the competition. The Ecuadorians kicked off their campaign by eliminating 2015 semi-finalists Guarani of Paraguay over two legs. The only previous Copa Libertadores winners to have featured in the preliminary round were Estudiantes in 2009.
The stat
3 - the number of Copa Libertadores finals Atletico Nacional have now reached. The first came in 1989, when they beat Olimpia of Paraguay, and the second six years later, when Brazil’s Gremio got the better of them.
What they said
“In the build-up there’s always a favourite, but it’s the better team that ends up being the champions. You can’t take anything for granted in a final. We’re not bigger than anyone, but we’re not smaller either. We don’t have any hang-ups. They said the Bombonera would get to us, but we played our usual game.” Independiente del Valle coach Pablo Repetto
“We’ll fight with everything we’ve got to win this title. We know the responsibility that comes with it, and that we’re up against a quality side too, regardless of the fact they’ve never got this far before. We have to look on this as a unique opportunity.” Atletico Nacional coach Reinaldo Rueda