Two goals up, the match appeared to be drifting toward the kind of evening Vasco had anticipated.
Em uma noite que prometia tranquilidade e se transformou em tensão, o Vasco da Gama confirmou sua vaga nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil ao empatar em 2 a 2 com o Paysandu no São Januário, avançando pelo placar agregado de 4 a 2. A escolha deliberada do técnico Renato Gaúcho de poupar titulares revelou tanto a confiança do clube em seu elenco quanto os riscos inerentes a qualquer cálculo estratégico no futebol — onde o controle pode se desfazer em minutos e a resiliência se torna a virtude mais exigida.
- O que parecia uma classificação tranquila virou teste de nervos quando o Paysandu empatou ainda no primeiro tempo, virando a lógica da partida de cabeça para baixo.
- A opção de Renato Gaúcho por um time reserva funcionou nos primeiros quarenta minutos, mas expôs fragilidades defensivas que quase custaram a vaga ao Vasco.
- Com o placar em 2 a 2 e o Paysandu com a iniciativa, o técnico acionou seus titulares para estancar o sangramento e recuperar o controle do jogo.
- O Vasco segurou o resultado, avançou às quartas de final e agora aguarda o sorteio da CBF enquanto mantém o foco no Campeonato Brasileiro.
O Vasco chegou às quartas de final da Copa do Brasil na quarta-feira à noite, mas não sem antes passar por um susto considerável no São Januário. Com um time repleto de reservas — decisão calculada de Renato Gaúcho, que prioriza o Campeonato Brasileiro —, o clube carioca empatou em 2 a 2 com o Paysandu e avançou pelo agregado de 4 a 2, após ter vencido o jogo de ida por 2 a 0.
No primeiro tempo, o plano parecia funcionar à perfeição. O Vasco pressionou, criou chances e abriu o placar aos 33 minutos com Johan Rojas, que converteu pênalti com frieza após falta em Brian. Oito minutos depois, Thiago Mendes recebeu de Marino Hinestroza, dominou na área e finalizou rasteiro para ampliar. A partida parecia encaminhada.
Mas o Paysandu reagiu ainda antes do intervalo. Marcinho encontrou Thayllon nas costas da defesa, e o atacante descontou. No início do segundo tempo, um cruzamento pela direita resultou em gol contra de Saldivia, e de repente o placar estava empatado. O Vasco, que havia lucido organizado, agora errava na defesa e perdia o fio do jogo. A melhor chance de retomar a vantagem foi desperdiçada por Rojas, parado em boa defesa do goleiro Gabriel Mesquita.
Foi então que Renato Gaúcho lançou seus titulares. A mudança surtiu efeito: o Vasco recuperou a posse, controlou o ritmo e administrou o restante da partida sem maiores sustos. Thiago Mendes foi expulso nos minutos finais, mas o desfecho já estava definido. O clube avança e aguarda o sorteio da CBF para conhecer seu adversário nas quartas de final.
Vasco arrived at the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals the hard way on Wednesday night, surviving a second-half scare at home that nearly undid what should have been a comfortable evening. Playing at São Januário with a lineup heavy on reserves, the Rio club drew 2-2 with Paysandu but advanced on aggregate, having won the first leg 2-0. What began as a controlled performance in the opening forty minutes—two goals, the match seemingly in hand—became a test of nerve when the visitors clawed back to level the score before the halftime whistle had even blown.
Renato Gaúcho had made a deliberate choice to rest his key players, a calculation that made sense given Vasco's focus on the Brazilian Championship. The strategy looked sound early. Vasco pressed high, created chances, and nearly broke through when Brenner struck the post. The breakthrough came at the thirty-three-minute mark when Brian was brought down in the box. Johan Rojas stepped up and converted the penalty with composure. Eight minutes later, the advantage doubled. Thiago Mendes received a pass from Marino Hinestroza, won a contested ball, drove into the area, and finished low and hard past the goalkeeper. Two goals up, the match appeared to be drifting toward the kind of evening Vasco had anticipated.
But Paysandu had other ideas. In the forty-seventh minute, with the first half entering its final moments, Marcinho found Thayllon in space behind the Vasco defense. The striker controlled the ball, created separation, and shot low to pull one back. The goal shifted the entire texture of the match. When the teams returned for the second half, Paysandu struck again almost immediately. A cross from the right wing found Saldivia, who deflected the ball into his own net. Suddenly, the scoreline was level, and the momentum had swung entirely toward the visitors. Vasco, which had looked composed and in control, now found itself under pressure, making defensive mistakes and struggling to impose its rhythm.
The best chance to restore the lead fell to Johan Rojas in the tenth minute of the second half. Marino Hinestroza won the ball high up the pitch and played the attacker through on goal. Rojas struck it firmly, but Gabriel Mesquita, Paysandu's goalkeeper, made a crucial save to keep the match level. Recognizing that his reserve-laden team was losing its grip on proceedings, Renato Gaúcho began introducing his regular starters. The shift worked. Vasco regained possession, steadied itself, and managed the remainder of the match without further alarm. In the closing minutes, Thiago Mendes was sent off, but by then the outcome was no longer in doubt. The aggregate score held. Vasco moved forward, and now the club waits for the CBF's draw to learn who stands in the way of the semifinals.
Notable Quotes
The strategy looked sound early, but Paysandu clawed back to level the score before halftime— Match narrative
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why did Renato Gaúcho field so many reserves if the match turned out to be this close?
Because the Brazilian Championship is where Vasco's season is really decided. The Copa do Brasil is important, but it's secondary. He was protecting his best players for the league.
But that strategy nearly backfired, didn't it?
It did. For forty minutes it looked brilliant—two goals, complete control. Then Paysandu woke up and suddenly Vasco looked vulnerable. That's the risk you take when you rotate.
What changed in the second half?
Paysandu came out with nothing to lose and everything to prove. They pressed higher, attacked more directly. And Vasco's reserves started to tire. The own goal was the real turning point—it gave them belief.
When did Renato realize he needed to bring in the starters?
Pretty quickly. Once it was 2-2, he knew the match had slipped away from his control. He brought in the key players and they steadied the ship. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.
Does advancing this way worry you about what comes next?
Not really. Vasco got through. The aggregate score was comfortable enough. But it's a reminder that you can't take any team for granted, even when you're playing at home with a two-goal lead.