In a dramatic turn of events, Vasco da Gama staged a remarkable comeback to beat Athletico Paranaense 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals on August 30, 2024, at São Januário. This win mirrors their recent performance in the Brasileirão, where they also overturned a 2-1 deficit.
The game kicked off with Athletico taking the lead, thanks to a goal from Christian. Vasco, however, turned the tables late in the match. Puma Rodríguez equalized for Vasco, and Hugo Moura scored the winning goal, adding a thrilling twist to the quarterfinal clash.
Despite Athletico’s early advantage, Vasco’s resilience shone through. The visitors had the upper hand in the first half, but Vasco’s strong performance in the second half turned the game around. The crowd, initially disappointed with Vasco’s first-half performance and some missed chances, saw their team fight back with two crucial goals.
Puma Rodríguez was pivotal in the turnaround, scoring a stunning goal after missing an earlier opportunity. His celebration, which included a tribute to Izquierdo, added a personal touch to his performance. Hugo Moura’s header in stoppage time sealed the victory for Vasco, showcasing their determination and skill.
The return leg is set to take place at the Ligga Arena in Curitiba on September 11. Both teams will have crucial domestic matches before then: Athletico faces Palmeiras, while Vasco will play against Vitória.
In a game full of tension and drama, the final minutes saw Joao Victor and Di Yorio get into a scuffle, which led to their ejection. Vasco’s comeback victory not only gives them an edge going into the second leg but also extends their unbeaten streak at São Januário to 112 games. Their last defeat at this stadium was four months ago against Criciúma.
The match highlighted Vasco’s ability to come back from behind and showed their potential for a deep run in the Copa do Brasil this year.
