The worst case scenario has happened and Vasco remains assured of a continental tournament in 2026; analysis

The end was not more bitter because the starting team will arrive physically well for the first match of the World Cup on Thursday against Fluminense, in São Januário. The return match will take place on Sunday at the Maracanã.

Another factor that encourages fans is knowing that, even outside the classification zone of the Brazilian Championship at the moment, the team is virtually qualified for a continental tournament in 2026, since if they win the Copa do Brasil they will go to the Libertadores, but if they lose they will go to the Copa Sudamericana.

— It wasn’t the majority of reservists, it was all the reservist players. Even the goalkeeper. If the under-20s weren’t on vacation, they wouldn’t even bring their reserves — Diniz commented after the match.

As they are the first team outside the classification zone of the Brazilian Championship and are behind the other semi-finalists — besides Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Corinthians — Cruz-Maltino will benefit from an additional place in the South American Championship. The same could happen if São Paulo went to the pre-Libertadores if Tricolor or Raposa were champions.

Now, if the saving action has maintained the physical side of the team well, Diniz will have to prepare the mental side after another below-critical performance, and the seventh defeat in eight games, totaling 19 goals conceded in these duels.

The first to break through Cruz-Maltina’s fragile defense was defender Junior Alonso, taking advantage of a rebound from striker Rony inside the area. In control of the game, the Minas Gerais team still had the advantage of an extra player for most of the match when midfielder Hugo Moura was sent off after making a mistake and putting his shoe studs into Dudu’s heel.

The free kick was taken near the middle of the field and, despite this, the Hulk striker hit the goal of Fuzato, who had challenged him by placing a single player in the wall. The intended massacre forced Diniz to remove center forward Vegetti and put in full-back Leandrinho to close the holes.

The striker left the field indignantly and threw his boot to the ground. He was simply no more irritated than the coach when he saw the team even more fragile in the second half. Passive in marking, the team accepted the constant exchange of passes from their rival on the offensive field, which also resulted in two goals from Dudu.

The first in the table with Hulk, finishing with a touch of class and the second with a bomb after a cross from Igor Gomes. The end of the tournament was melancholic with an own goal from Victor Luis, after Arana’s shot hit Hulk and then the defender.

Brazil Cup clashes