Vasco Turns 0–1 Into 3–1 Victory at Arena da Baixada

Overview

• Vasco overturned an early Mendoza goal to beat Athletico 3–1 with three goals scored inside a six-minute span in the second half.
• Goals came from an Aguirre own goal, Bruno Duarte and Gabriel Pereira after Pedro Emanuel's halftime tactical changes and attacking substitutions increased offensive pressure.
• Refereeing incidents shaped the match: a possible penalty on Brenner was not awarded and VAR was not used, and Guillermo Viveros received a direct red card late in the second half.
• The win took Vasco to 41 points and 12th place, putting them four points above the relegation zone and easing immediate survival pressure.
• Vasco now carries momentum into the Copa do Brasil second leg against Palmeiras where it must win by two goals at São Januário to reach the final, while Athletico remain on 54 points in fifth place and will visit Flamengo next.