The more than 64 thousand fans who attended the Maracanã stadium on Thursday night (11) witnessed a great football match that ended with Vasco’s victory over Fluminense by 2-1, coming from behind, in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-finals.
GAME OVER AT MARACANÃ! VASCO DA GAMA COMES FROM BEHIND AND WINS!
The Giant of the Hill has the advantage in the quest for the final! 💢
LET’S GO TOGETHER FOR QUALIFICATION! ✌️💢
⚽ RAYAN
⚽ VEGETTI📸: Matheus Lima | #VascoDaGama #VASxflu #CopaDoBrasil2025 pic.twitter.com/L076puMlvo
— Vasco da Gama (@VascodaGama) December 12, 2025
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With the victory, secured thanks to goals from forwards Rayan and Vegetti, Cruzmaltino reaches the final of the competition even in case of a draw in the return match, which will be played next Sunday (14) starting at 8 pm (Brasília time). Time das Laranjeiras needs a victory by two goals to advance in regulation time. A tricolor victory by only one goal difference takes the decision to penalties.
Flu opens the scoring
Vasco and Fluminense did not disappoint the fans who were at the Maracanã on Thursday night. They played a very lively match, with many opportunities created. Relying on passing and the constant movement of their forwards, the team from Laranjeiras took control of the game in the first few minutes and began to create problems for goalkeeper Léo Jardim.
And the first good opportunity came in the sixth minute with Argentine midfielder Lucho Acosta, who, after a good team move, hit a shot that grazed over the crossbar.
At 15 minutes, Vasco created a chance with full-back Puma Rodríguez. However, Fluminense were superior and opened the scoring at 21 minutes. Renê lifted the ball into the area from a free-kick. Thiago Silva headed it down for Serna, and the Colombian shot low past Léo Jardim.
End of the first half. COME ON, FLUMINENSE! pic.twitter.com/LvQAMbQXSc
— Fluminense FC (@FluminenseFC) December 11, 2025
After opening the scoring, the team managed by Argentine coach Luis Zubeldía retreated and waited for opportunities to counter-attack at speed. Meanwhile, Fernando Diniz’s team struggled to create dangerous chances against goalkeeper Fábio.
Vasco’s comeback
However, after the halftime break, the game changed completely. Vasco asserted themselves and didn’t take long to equalize. Six minutes in, Colombian Andrés Gómez advanced down the left and crossed low into the middle of the area, where Portuguese Nuno Moreira missed the ball, and it fell to Rayan, who unleashed a powerful shot that nestled into the top corner of Fábio’s goal.
The equalizer energized Vasco, who were creating numerous good scoring opportunities against a Fluminense side that seemed more concerned with running down the clock. Vasco’s offensive impetus was rewarded in the 48th minute. Rayan controlled the ball in midfield and surged towards goal. Midfielder Hércules brought down the young striker, who quickly got up and passed to Andrés, who crossed the ball into the area where Vegetti headed it in to secure the victory for the team from São Januário.
