Events like the one Vasco experienced this Sunday, at the Maracanã, are not unexpected events for clubs which have experienced such difficult recent trajectories, marked by results which distance them from their history, from the weight of their jersey, from the expectations they arouse. Suddenly, when the opportunity arises to offer a reunion to its supporters, capable of taking over the stadium and reminding everyone of the size of this club, it is as if the 14 years without a title beyond the limits of Rio shaped the entire environment.
This does not mean that Vasco lost because he felt the pressure: there were two equal teams on the field and the truth is that after 180 poorly played minutes the cup could have gone either way.
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But last Sunday’s Maracanã was a stadium filled not only with people, but also with anxiety for Vasco’s most important trip in recent years. And the field, where two teams played that have never been solid, reliable in 2025, ended up reminding us that Vasco has a long way to go for occasions like this to become more frequent. If it manages to balance itself economically, to increase its competitiveness, the presence in the final will be more recurring. And at some point, luck will smile.
There was talent on the pitch at the Maracanã, but also teams with immense problems: Corinthians were 13th and Vasco, 14th in the Brasileirão, with the third worst defense. The game was more fought than played, with rare successful chances. And the anti-gaming was numerous. As it was Corinthians who had the advantage most of the time, they were the ones who tried to prevent there being too much football. The match lasted 101 minutes, but the ball only rolled for 51 minutes. A footballing failure.
Vasco lacked arguments that exceeded the strength of Andrés Gómez, Rayan and Paulo Henrique in the sprints. Fernando Diniz, who has improved the team in his seven months on the job, has yet to build something as engaging with the ball as in other works. And without that, the Cruz-Maltino player has immense difficulty defending deep passes.
Once again, he bet on Nuno and Coutinho very close to the ball, but this did not give the attackers the advantage to take off. The Corinthians formation with three midfielders, plus the tall Breno Bidon, covered the spaces.
Corinthians, with Raniele on the ball, drew Nuno’s marking and created difficulties for Vasco’s midfield to deal with the pressure. This imbalance left space for Matheuzinho, author of the pass on Yuri Alberto’s goal: Cuesta missed and Léo Jardim remained undecided. In a similar move, Yuri almost made another one.
Vasco even had more volume after the goal, but it was a recovered ball that allowed Coutinho to intervene in the game closer to the rival area: he activated Andrés Gomez, who made a superb cross for Nuno’s goal. Maracanã experienced a catharsis, as if the turnaround was only a matter of time.
The second stage has arrived and it is curious how the Corinthians reached the winning goal without producing practically anything other than this movement. The talent of Breno Bidon, with a disconcerting dribble on Barros, cleared the play for the Memphis goal. Vasco were the bravest team, ready to attack, but very dependent on the use of Andrés and Paulo Henrique on the flanks. The team did not create situations that could unbalance Rayan.
Diniz added attackers and, in a match between two imperfect teams, the volume was almost enough for a draw. At the end, a Maracanã full of people and sadness applauded the players, in another beautiful gesture from the supporters, the best that Vasco has had in recent years. If the club actually moves forward with a true rebuild, trips like Sunday’s will be repeated. At some point there will be a happy ending. In a crowded Maracanã, Vasco saw his people put on a show to their liking. But the field has shown that, to return to great achievements, there is still a way to go.
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