By beating Fluminense on penalties this Sunday (14/12), Vasco secured a place in the Copa do Brasil final after 14 years of absence from a national decision. The last time Cruzmaltino came close to winning the title at this level was in 2011, with the team popularized among fans as “Trem Bala da Colina”.
That year, Vasco began the victorious campaign at Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, with a rout. The Rio team faced Comercial-MS and won 6 x 0. They also went through ABC-RN and Náutico, before facing Athletico-PR in the quarterfinals.
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Vasco was Copa do Brasil champion in 2011.
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Cruzmaltino defeated Coritiba in the decision.
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The team was known as “Trem Bala da Colina”.
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Suffocation in the quarters, relief in the semi-finals
Against the Paraná team, two difficult matches. The first, at the old Arena da Baixada, ended in a 2 x 2 draw. In the second match, at São Januário, there was another tie on the scoreboard, this time 1 x 1. The result ensured Vasco the semi-final as they scored more away goals.
For a place in the decider, Gigante da Colina faced Avaí, drawing 1 x 1 at home in the first match. The second clash took place in Florianópolis, with Vasco winning 2 x 0. The Rio team was in the decisive part of the tournament.
Final against Coritiba
The final, played between Vasco and Coritiba, had Cruzmaltino as the big favorite. The euphoria increased with the result of the first match in São Januário: a 1-0 victory.
The return duel continued with Vasco on the rise. Alecsandro opened the scoring for the Cariocas in the 12th minute. However, their anger had to be contained as Bill and Davi turned things around for Coritiba in the first half. In the second stage, Éder Luis scored the equalizer, but saw Willian give Coxa victory. However, Vasco won the title thanks to the away goal.
Vasco’s team will have another chance to win the Copa do Brasil. Cruzmaltino faces Corinthians in two matches: the first, at Arena Corinthians, this Wednesday (12/17), at 9:30 p.m. The return match will be played on Sunday (12/21), at the Maracanã, at 6:30 p.m.
Vasco’s career during the 2011 Copa do Brasil:
1st phase:
- Commercial–MS 1 x 6 Vasco.
2nd phase:
- ABC-RN 0 x 0 Vasco;
- Vasco 2 x 1 ABC-RN.
Round of 16:
- Nautical 0 x 3 Vasco;
- Vasco 0 x 0 Nautico.
Quarter-finals:
- Athletico-PR 2 x 2 Vasco;
- Vasco 1 x 1 Athletico-PR;
- Vasco classified according to the away goal criterion, in force at the time.
Semi-final:
- Vasco 1 x 1 Avaí;
- Avaí 0 x 2 Vasco.
END:
- Vasco 1 x 0 Coritiba;
- Coritiba 3 x 2 Vasco;
- Champion of Vasco based on away goal criteria, in force at the time.
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