Vasco secured a crucial 3-1 victory against Athletico-PR at the Arena da Baixada during the 34th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, ge reported. The away supporters celebrated the win with a dual-section chant after the stadium’s visitor enclosure was split in two due to a stage installation for an upcoming event. Club staff member Biro led the traditional “casaca” chant in both segregated sections following the final whistle.

The triumph lifted Vasco to 41 points in the league standings, placing them four points behind Corinthians, who occupy the first position inside the relegation zone. Vasco also holds a game in hand against the already-relegated Chapecoense. The victory arrived after a first-half deficit, as Athletico-PR opened the scoring through Mendoza in the 22nd minute, according to a Tribuna do Paraná column.

Controversial First-Half Penalty Incident Ignored

The match featured a major refereeing controversy in the 25th minute while Athletico-PR maintained a 1-0 lead. Puma Rodríguez fired a shot from outside the box that goalkeeper Mycael failed to secure, leading to a loose ball collision with Vasco player Brenner in the small area. Referee Ramon Abatti Abel allowed play to continue, and VAR official Daniel Bins did not recommend a review.

ESPN Brasil television analyst Renata Ruel stated that Vasco suffered a disadvantage from the missed penalty call, asserting that Brenner anticipated Mycael and was imprudently tripped by the goalkeeper. Pênalti não marcado para o Vasco. Mais um erro da arbitragem da CBF no campo e no VAR. O Brenner antecipou o Mycael, após um rebote do goleiro, e foi calçado por ele de forma imprudente. Pênalti claro. O VAR, Daniel Nobre, do Rio Grande do Sul, não sugeriu revisão, Ruel declared. Without the penalty awarded, Vasco went into the interval trailing 1-0. An early yellow card was issued to Athletico-PR player Jádson after just one minute of play following a late challenge on Lescano.

Second-Half Comeback and Red Card Turn the Match

Vasco overturned the deficit early in the second half with three goals within a brief span. An own goal by Aguirre in the 16th minute leveled the score, followed closely by headers from Bruno Duarte in the 18th minute and Gabriel in the 20th minute. Tribuna do Paraná reported that Athletico-PR lost control after halftime, compounded by the expulsion of player Viveiros, who received a straight red card following a foul on Cuiabano.

The home defeat left approximately 20,000 Athletico supporters searching for answers as the team continues its downward slide in the domestic standings. Odair Hellmann’s side failed to maintain the momentum established during a dominant opening period, during which Mendoza and Luiz Gustavo made the team play well, leaving the impression that the team would give Vasco a dance.

Copa del Brasil Semifinal Looms for Vasco

Before returning to domestic league play against Chapecoense at the Arena Condá on the 14th, Vasco must contest the decisive leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinals against Palmeiras at São Januário. Palmeiras holds a narrow 1-0 advantage from the opening leg of the knockout tie.

Athletico-PR’s upcoming fixture in the Campeonato Brasileiro pits them against Flamengo at the Maracanã on the 18th.