Vasco da Gama defeated Fluminense 3-1 at the Maracana stadium on Wednesday, August 5, to advance to the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals. The victory secured a 3-1 win on aggregate following a goalless first leg between the Rio de Janeiro rivals, played before 48,794 spectators.
Former Fluminense forward Brenner scored in each half to put Vasco in control before Martinelli pulled a goal back for Fluminense. Substitute Puma Rodriguez scored in the final moment of stoppage time to seal the victory for Vasco da Gama.
The result means Vasco da Gama reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive season as the only remaining club from Rio de Janeiro. Vasco eliminated Fluminense from the tournament for the second straight year, following a penalty shootout victory in the 2025 semi-finals.
Vasco da Gama will learn their quarter-final opponents on Tuesday, August 11, when a draw will establish the fixtures and bracket path through to the single-match final.
First half pressure and opening goal
Vasco da Gama started with higher intensity and high defensive pressing under manager Pedro Emanuel, delivering their best performance since returning from the World Cup break. Andrés Gómez disarmed Arana near the baseline in the second minute and crossed into the area, where goalkeeper Fábio failed to clear before Thiago Mendes sent a shot over an empty net.
Vasco maintained pressure from the 17th minute as Andrés Gómez beat Igor Rabello to force a save from Fábio, before Nuno Moreira saw a low strike turned away by the goalkeeper. Brenner broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, ending a goal drought dating back to April by taking a pass from Thiago Mendes and striking a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that deflected off Ignácio and looped over Fábio.
Fluminense created their best response of the first half in the 44th minute when John Kennedy received near the edge of the area and slipped as he shot, forcing Vasco goalkeeper Léo Jardim into a save.
Second half counter-attack and Fluminense response
Fluminense manager Luis Zubeldía replaced Savarino with Nonato at half-time to grant Lucho Acosta and Martinelli more freedom in attack. Fluminense nearly equalized two minutes into the second half when Uruguayan winger Canobbio cut inside past defender Robert Renan and struck the left post.
Vasco extended their lead six minutes into the second half through a rapid counter-attack initiated when Jair won possession in defense. Tchê Tchê released Andrés Gómez along the wing, and the Colombian crossed for Brenner to beat defender Ignácio and finish first-time for his second goal of the match.
Zubeldía responded by introducing attackers Hulk, Cano, and Ganso, after John Kennedy was forced off crying heavily with a knee injury caused by a tackle from Paulo Henrique. Fluminense pushed forward as Arana blazed over an open net following a misjudged clearance by Léo Jardim, and Ganso forced a save from the Vasco goalkeeper.
Fluminense reduced the deficit in the 31st minute of the second half when Martinelli passed to Hulk inside the penalty area, ran onto Hulk's return cross, and volleyed home right-footed.
Late drama and final goal
Fluminense dominated possession during nine minutes of stoppage time, but Vasco defended deep after Pedro Emanuel sent on young substitutes Barros and Ramon Rique. Vasco striker David had a goal ruled out for offside as Fluminense searched for an equalizer.
Vasco wrapped up the victory in the 54th minute on the final play of the match. Adson played a quick one-two with Thiago Mendes, entered the penalty box, and set up Puma Rodriguez to tap the ball into the net.
