Vasco beats Fluminense and gains courage in the fight against relegation

O Vasco won the first “final” in the fight against relegation and gained more courage to escape being relegated by overcoming the Fluminense. This Saturday, Gigante da Colina scored 4-2 against Tricolor Carioca, at the Nilton Santos stadium, in the 23rd round of the Brazilian championship.

With the spirit that each game is a decision, Vasco gave an important response in the Brasileirão. The situation remains uncomfortable, but hope is renewed. Furthermore, the team shows signs of evolution, especially in the offensive sector, with Vegetti’s strength.

Vasco raised hope in the fight against the drop and ended a fast against Fluminense. Gigante da Colina had not beaten their rival since 2019 – it was a drought of eight classics, with four defeats and four draws.

With this Saturday’s victory, Vasco now has 20 points in 22 games and occupies 18th place in the Brazilian Championship. Gigante da Colina is five points behind Goiás, the first team outside the Z4 and which has one more game compared to the Rio team. Fluminense, with 38 points, is in sixth place.

In the next round, Vasco will face the bottom team Coritiba, this Thursday, at 7pm (Brasília time), in São Januário. Fluminense receives the cruisethis Wednesday, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.

The classic between Vasco and Fluminense

The duel started with a lot of energy on both sides, but without emotion. Both teams found it difficult to create. The first chance came in the 16th minute. Marlon Gomes had the surplus at the edge of the area and took a risk. The ball went out, without danger for Fábio.

At 18, Fluminense almost opened the scoring. After a quick corner kick, Cano supported John Kennedy, but he was blocked by Léo Jardim, who saved Vasco. The Gigante da Colina goalkeeper had a hard time following. He palmed Cano’s submission in the 20th minute.

Vasco responded in the 22nd minute and opened the scoring. Rossi passed Marcelo on the right and crossed to Praxedes. He headed the ball past Fábio and made it 1-0 at the Nilton Santos Stadium. The classic then became more popular. Fluminense needed to change in the first half. Arias felt his right ankle and gave way to Lima. Flu almost equalized in the 47th minute. John Kennedy made a great play, took off and finished. The ball exploded off the post.

At 49, Rossi missed the chance to expand. He was face to face with Fábio, after Léo Jardim’s throw-in, but he made a lot of progress and was blocked by Fábio, who kept the ball. The first half ended 1-0 for Vasco.

Eduardo Barros, who led Fluminense in place of the suspended Fernando Diniz, returned with Martinelli in place of Marlon. André was moved back to defense. Tricolor Carioca tied with 42 seconds. Marcelo received it from Guga in the area and dropped the bomb: 1 to 1.

The tricolor joy didn’t last long. In the fourth minute, Rossi took a corner from the right, Vegetti won it from the top and put Vasco back in front: 2-1. Fluminense reacted in the 10th minute. André found Guga on the right. He crossed and Lima made it 2-2 at Nilton Santos.

Coach Ramón Díaz made the first changes to Vasco in the 14th minute. He put Payet and Gabriel Pec. Marlon Gomes and Rossi left. Flu had a chance to turn things around in the 19th minute. John Kennedy was launched by Marcelo, leaving Maicon on the ground, but finishing out.

At 25, Léo Jardim saved Vasco. Martinelli finished from the edge of the area. The ball deflected and went into the corner, but the goalkeeper sent it for a corner. Gigante da Colina took advantage of a rival’s hesitation to regain the advantage. At 28, André and Guga got into trouble. The pass from the midfielder, who wanted to retreat to Fábio, turned into an assist for Gabriel Pec. He hit the corner and made it 3-2.

Fluminense felt the blow. Vasco took the opportunity to define the classic. In the 39th minute, after a cross from the right, Vegetti made a pass to Gabriel Pec. The striker completed the goal: 4 to 2. Flu still created two chances in stoppage time, but did not decrease. The Hill Giant continues to believe in salvation in the Brazilian Championship.

*With information from Gazeta Esportiva

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