Vasco beats Flamengo in an exciting classic at Maracanã

If there was any doubt about how much this Vasco that is being built in 2023 has the ability to be honest and do justice to the history of the Maltese cross, it ended after this Sunday’s Classic of the Millions. The victory over Flamengo does not mean that the Colina team will be the champion of something in the season. Not even Carioca, where Fluminense and Flamengo are favorites for the title. But it allows the fan to finally look the opposing fans in the eye. There is no longer any reason to be ashamed.

It was only Vasco’s second victory in the last 22 classics against Flamengo, which reinforces the symbolic value of the result for Vasco da Gama. In the centenary year, the historic rivalry takes on a new lease of life.

In practical terms, the triumph of the cross-Maltese kept the team in third place in the Guanabara Cup, one round away from the end. If he beats Bangu in São Januário, he guarantees a place in the semifinals in Carioca and in the Copa do Brasil next year. The red-black, leader, is already mathematically guaranteed in the decisive phase.

Emotion from start to finish

The match was balanced. Flamengo had more of the ball and created good chances to score, before and after Pumita scored the great goal that defined the score from 1 to 0 for Vasco da Gama. But he struggled to break through the last defensive line of Maurício Barbieri’s team and lacked a little luck.

But this is not an unfair victory for Vasco, quite the contrary. Colina’s team entered the field with a clear game proposal and managed to execute it very well. He retreated much further than he is used to this season, waiting for the counterattacks. I managed to find them. He hit two balls on the post in the first half.

Until in the second, the ball fell to Pumita, who was playing poorly. Probably the worst since he was signed by Vasco. The Uruguayan right-back hit first and scored a great goal to make the Vasco side of the stands explode.

The victory was so fair that Vasco still had a clear chance to extend the advantage, after Marlon Gomes, who entered the second half, suffered a penalty. Pedro Raul had the ball that could have been part of the game, but Santos made the save. The difference is in the performance of the Vasco striker, one of the best on the pitch so far.

From there, the game was pure striking. Flamengo squeezing Vasco in defense, forcing Léo Jardim to make great saves, and Cruz-Maltino managing good counterattacks, but always failing in the last pass or in the finalization.