Neither Rayan, nor Vegetti, nor Philippe Coutinho. Vasco’s biggest asset in the Copa do Brasil final, against Corinthians, is Léo Jardim. It’s not that coach Fernando Diniz or the fans want the goalkeeper to be used much. But the scene of the number 1 leaving the Maracanã pitch as a hero has become part of Cruz-Maltino’s routine. Haunted by a recent history of early eliminations, the club turned the key last year and became competitive again in the tournament. And it is no exaggeration to say that the archer is the main culprit.
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Penalties have become a natural way for Vasco to go far in the Copa do Brasil in the last two editions. Of the 11 rankings between 2024 and 2025, six were defined at the end of the ranking. And in each of them, Vasco progressed because Léo Jardim defended the opponents. There were nine in total.
Just like he did with John Kennedy and Canobbio last Sunday; Cruz-Maltino’s number 1 defined the quarterfinals against Botafogo by stopping Alex Telles’ shot. Before, in the third phase, he had already intercepted three penalties (from Neto Paraíba, Thales Oleques and Allan Godói, from Operário, from Paraná).
In 2024, Jardim shone in the quarter-finals by once again resisting the attack of Agustín Canobbio (who was then playing at Athletico). The goalkeeper had already shown his talent in this type of dispute during the third phase, against Fortaleza, by stopping Kervin Andrade’s penalty; and also in the second phase, against Água Santa, from São Paulo, when he caught Robles.
— It’s a lot of work, a lot of concentration. It’s about trying to be as balanced as possible to be able to make good decisions. There are a lot of things involved. But I’m happy to be able to help once again. And I must underline the work of the whole team, of all the staff. It was really a dream for us to be in this final — commented the goalkeeper after the qualification.
Since arriving at Vasco in 2023, Jardim has participated in seven penalties. The only one in which he did not win was precisely the first, in his first year at the club, also in the Brazilian Cup. On this occasion, the Cruz-Maltinos Pedro Raúl and Orellano lost their kicks, and the ABC of Potiguar qualified fully for São Januário by winning on penalties by 6 to 5. Jardim failed to make a save. But this would be the last time this would happen.
Before joining São Januário, the 30-year-old goalkeeper from São Paulo had never experienced the joy of winning a penalty shootout. He had only participated in one – and lost – in 2020, for Lille-FRA.
At the time, the League Cup semi-final against Lyon ended in penalties. The Brazilian failed to make any of the opponents’ shots, two of his teammates missed their shots and Lille said goodbye to the tournament.
Léo Jardim on penalties:
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2025 / semi-final: Fluminense 1×0 Vasco (3×4); saved 2 loads (from John Kennedy and deCanobbio);
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2025 / quarter-finals: Botafogo 1 x 1 Vasco (3 x 5) – saved 1 charge (from Alex Telles);
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2025 / 3rd phase: Vasco 1 x 1 Operário (7 x 6) – saved 3 free kicks (from Neto Paraíba, Thales Oleques and Allan Godói)
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2024 / quarter-finals: Athletico 1 x 2 Vasco (4 x 5) – saved 1 load (from Cannobio)
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2024 / 3rd phase: Vasco 3 x 3 Fortaleza (5 x 4) – saved 1 charge (by Kervin Andrade)
- ✅ Copa do Brasil 2024 / 2nd phase: Vasco 3 x 3 Água Santa (4 x 1) – saved 1 charge (by Andrés Robles)
- ❌ Brazilian Cup 2023 / 2nd phase: Vasco 0 x 0 ABC (5 x 6) – made no saves
- ❌ League Cup 2019/20 / semi-final: Lyon 2 x 2 Lille (4 x 3) – no stops
Revealed by Grêmio, he had already experienced the frustration of being eliminated on penalties on the bench. It was during the surprising fall of Novo Hamburgo, in the semi-final of the Campeonato Gaúcho 2017; and for Cruzeiro, during the Copa do Brasil of the same year.
That night, Jardim watched from the bench as the then Cruzeirense Fábio became the hero of the evening by saving Luan’s charge. Eight years later and in the same competition, the two will fight in a private duel at the Maracanã. But the protagonist was on Vasco’s side.
— Fábio is a great goalkeeper. I am a great admirer of his work, of his person, I am a real fan. So to be able to take part in the penalty shootout against him, to be able to play against Fábio and other great goalkeepers is for me an honor, a privilege. I try to work hard to be able to put myself at their level and always be able to help Vasco — said Jardim.
Coming together, the goalkeeper and Vasco changed their story during the penalty shootout. The club started from an average performance: it had won three and lost three others in the previous ten years. After the frustration of the first opportunity, neither lost.
This efficiency will allow Vasco to return to participate in a national competition final after 14 years. The guardian is now highlighted and changes level. Today it is considered one of the best in the country.
Normally, Jardim’s performance on penalties is not that exceptional: he saved three of 17 penalties with the Cruz-Maltina jersey. But his performance with the ball is also remarkable. And in July, Vasco announced the renewal of its contract until 2030, thus protecting itself from market harassment.
— I think Léo is a fundamental player, more and more identified with Vasco supporters. Every day improves the fundamentals. Whether with the foot, which was said to not be allowed to play, it is now one of the most important at the beginning of construction. Extremely dedicated player. In my opinion, he is a promising goalkeeper to play in a World Cup. He meets the conditions that place him in the running to be a selected goalkeeper, congratulated coach Fernando Diniz.
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