Vasco held firm with ten men, refusing to break
No futebol, como na vida, a vantagem construída com antecedência muitas vezes sustenta o que o presente ameaça destruir. Na noite de quarta-feira, no São Januário, o Vasco da Gama avançou às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil não pela força do momento, mas pela solidez do que havia construído antes — uma vitória por 2-0 no jogo de ida que resistiu à pressão, ao empate e até à expulsão de um jogador nos minutos finais. O Paysandu lutou com dignidade, mas o placar agregado de 4-2 encerrou o sonho paraense.
- O Paysandu precisava reverter uma desvantagem de dois gols e foi a campo com urgência, pressionando desde o apito inicial em busca do impossível.
- O Vasco abriu 2-0 no segundo tempo com gols de Rojas, de pênalti, e Thiago Mendes, parecendo selar o confronto — mas o Paysandu respondeu com Thayllon e um gol contra de Saldivia para empatar em 2-2 e reacender a esperança.
- Aos 44 minutos do segundo tempo, Thiago Mendes foi expulso com cartão vermelho direto após cotovelada em Caio Mello, deixando o Vasco com dez jogadores nos minutos decisivos.
- Sob o comando de Renato Gaúcho, o Vasco recuou, absorveu a pressão e administrou o tempo com disciplina tática, impedindo que o Paysandu chegasse ao gol que forçaria a prorrogação.
- O apito final confirmou o placar agregado de 4-2 para o Vasco, que aguarda o sorteio das quartas de final enquanto se prepara para enfrentar o Internacional no Campeonato Brasileiro no sábado.
O Vasco da Gama está nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil após empatar em 2-2 com o Paysandu na partida de volta, disputada no São Januário. A vitória por 2-0 no jogo de ida foi suficiente para garantir a classificação, mesmo diante de uma virada parcial do adversário que chegou a igualar o placar da noite.
O jogo começou favorável ao Cruzmaltino. Hinestroza sofreu pênalti após ser derrubado por Luccão, e Rojas converteu com precisão. Minutos depois, Thiago Mendes avançou pela direita, cortou para dentro e bateu no canto para fazer 2-0. O Vasco parecia confortável — até Thayllon aparecer nos acréscimos do primeiro tempo para diminuir com um belo gol.
No segundo tempo, o caos se instalou rapidamente. Kleiton cruzou rasteiro pela direita e Saldivia, tentando afastar, mandou para o próprio gol. O placar estava empatado em 2-2, e o Paysandu precisava de apenas mais um gol para levar a decisão às penalidades. A tensão no estádio cresceu — e piorou para o Vasco quando Thiago Mendes, um dos melhores em campo até então, foi expulso por cotovelada em Caio Mello.
Com dez jogadores, o Vasco de Renato Gaúcho recuou, organizou a defesa e resistiu ao assédio final do Paysandu. O placar não mudou. No agregado, 4-2 para o Cruzmaltino, que agora aguarda o sorteio das quartas enquanto se prepara para enfrentar o Internacional no sábado pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
Vasco advanced to the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals on Wednesday night despite finishing their return match against Paysandu in a 2-2 draw at São Januário. The Cruzmaltino's first-leg victory—a clean 2-0 win—proved decisive enough to carry them through, even as their opponents mounted a furious comeback that nearly forced extra time.
The match unfolded as a study in contrasts. Paysandu, needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, came out pressing immediately. Vasco, meanwhile, struck first with genuine danger: Brenner rattled the crossbar early, a warning of what was to come. In the 33rd minute, midfielder Hinestroza intercepted a pass, dribbled past defenders, and drew a penalty when Luccão pulled him down in the box. Rojas converted the spot kick with a crisp finish across the goalkeeper. Nine minutes later, Thiago Mendes collected the ball on the right flank, worked past his marker, cut inside, and fired past the keeper to make it 2-0 on the night. Vasco looked in control.
But Paysandu refused to fold. In the final moments of the first half, Thayllon received the ball behind Vasco's defense, beat Lucas Freitas, and curled a shot past the keeper to pull one back. The second half brought immediate chaos: Kleiton advanced down the right, crossed low, and Saldivia, attempting to clear, turned the ball into his own net. The match was level at 2-2, and suddenly Paysandu needed just one more goal to send the tie to penalties.
The tension at São Januário became palpable. Paysandu threw bodies forward, searching for the breakthrough that would extend their tournament life. Vasco had chances of their own but couldn't find the net. Then, in the 44th minute, Thiago Mendes—who had been one of his team's best players—threw an elbow at Caio Mello and was sent off with a direct red card. Vasco would finish the match with ten men.
What followed was a masterclass in damage control. Under manager Renato Gaúcho, the Cruzmaltino held their shape, absorbed pressure, and managed the clock. Paysandu pressed relentlessly in search of a second goal that would force penalties, but Vasco's depleted defense held firm. When the final whistle came, the aggregate score stood at 4-2 in Vasco's favor. The draw was enough.
The Copa do Brasil's round of 16 will now be determined by draw. Vasco returns to league action on Saturday against Internacional in the Brazilian Championship, while Paysandu faces Caxias in the third division on Sunday—a sharp drop in stakes after a night when they came so close to the impossible.
Citas Notables
Vasco managed the draw until the final whistle under manager Renato Gaúcho despite playing the final minutes with ten men— Match narrative
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does a 2-2 draw feel like a victory for Vasco?
Because they won the first match 2-0. In two-leg ties, you're playing for aggregate goals. Paysandu had to erase a two-goal hole, and even though they equalized on the night, they never got ahead overall.
So Paysandu actually played better in this match?
They certainly fought harder. They came from 2-0 down to 2-2. But in a knockout tie, you don't get credit for a moral victory. Vasco's first-leg dominance meant they could absorb the second-half collapse and still advance.
What changed when Thiago Mendes got sent off?
Vasco went from managing the game to surviving it. Down to ten men with Paysandu needing one goal—that's when you see if a team has composure. Renato Gaúcho's side had it. They didn't panic.
Did Paysandu deserve to go through?
On the night, maybe. Over two matches? No. Vasco was the better team across 180 minutes. Paysandu's comeback was real and impressive, but it came too late and fell just short.
What happens now?
Vasco waits for the draw to learn their quarterfinal opponent. Paysandu drops into the third division. Two very different paths forward.