Brasileirão: Vasco loses to Red Bull Bragantino and remains close to Z4

Vasco hosted Red Bull Bragantino, on Sunday night (24), wanting to win in São Januário, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), to move away from the relegation zone, but ended up losing 3-0, in a match valid for the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship. Rodriguinho, Isidro Pitta and Fernando scored the visiting goals.

With the result, Cruz-Maltino is in 16th place, with 20 points, ahead only of the members of Z4 - Santos, with 18; Mirassol, with 16; Remo, with 15; and Chapecoense, with nine. Atlético-MG, Internacional, Grêmio and Corinthians appear just ahead, with 21.

Massa Bruta, on the other hand, reached 26 points and rose to fifth place, a position that would give them a place in the second round of the 2027 Libertadores. Palmeiras, with 38; Flamengo, with 31; Fluminense, with 30; and Athletico-PR, with 27, form the G4, a group of those who would go directly to the group stage.

First half
The initial stage began without much emotion, with the best opportunities only appearing in the final stretch. In the 37th minute, Spinelli spun well inside the area and finished for a good save by Tiago Volpi.

Juninho Capixaba was disarmed when the ball was released, and Vasco made the ball reach Andrés Gómez, who finished crookedly and sent it out. Red Bull Bragantino responded at 39, with a long-range attempt made by Isidro Pitta and saved by Léo Jardim.

At 45, the visitors opened the scoring. Rodriguinho fired unmarked and took a risk from afar, looking for the right corner. The home goalkeeper even touched the ball, but failed and was unable to clear the danger.

Final stage
Even with an advantage on the scoreboard, Red Bull Bragantino had the first good opportunity in the final stage. After four minutes, Herrera sent the ball over the top to Rodriguinho, who, in a split with Léo Jardim, hit the post. In the fight, Saldivia saved on the line after Ramires' tackle.

Vasco responded at 10. Spinelli won a physical battle with the defense and was face to face with Volpi, trying to dig over the top, but Gustavo Marques managed to deflect it for a corner.

Afterwards, at 14, Mosquera made a great move on the left wing, cleared Mutano and crossed low to Isidro Pitta, who poked it into the back of the net, leading to the visitors' victory in São Januário. At 18 and 20, Volpi appeared and made great saves against attempts by Spinelli and Brenner.

Bragantina's victory was confirmed in the 31st minute, when Saldivia made a mistake in retreating the ball and handed the ball to Fernando, who dribbled past Léo Jardim and expanded. At 35, Volpi appeared again, making a great save against Cuiabano's shot from distance.

At 40, Barros was reckless and ended up kicking Ramires almost in the small area. The foul was confirmed after analysis by VAR. Eduardo Sasha took the penalty and isolated, wasting the third consecutive penalty.

Next games
The two teams will be home next Sunday (31), in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship, the last before the break for the World Cup, in which the teams will not be able to count on those called up for the World Cup. At 11am, Red Bull Bragantino faces Internacional, at Cícero de Souza Marques, in Bragança Paulista (SP). At 4pm, Vasco will face Atlético-MG, in São Januário.

First, however, the duo enters the field for the last round of the group stage of the South American Championship. Still able to go directly to the round of 16, Gigante da Colina, second in Group G, with seven points, hosts Barracas Central, at 7pm on Wednesday (26), at home. Third in Group H, with seven points, Massa Bruta, on the other hand, faces Carabobo, in Interior Paulista, at 9:30 pm on Wednesday (27), with only a chance of going to the playoffs.

Standings provided by Sofascore

Standings provided by Sofascore

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Source: CNN