Vasco da Gama edge Athletico Paranaense as Mendes strikes before the interval | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Vasco da Gama beat Athletico Paranaense 1-0 at Estádio São Januário. Thiago Mendes broke through in the 37th minute, finishing from the centre of the box after a José Luis Rodríguez pass. Furacão's best spell came after the restart when Luiz Gustavo hit the right post (55.). Cruz-Maltino created the clearer chances, posting 16 attempts to nine with 53.0% possession. Cruz-Maltino host Paysandu in the Copa do Brasil next, while Athletico-PR visit Atlético Goianiense in the same competition before facing Flamengo in the league.

Player of the Match: Mendes dictated midfield and decided it, scoring the winner and completing 66 of 69 passes with 23 successful final third passes.

Stat of the Match: José Luis Rodríguez produced six key passes, a supply line that repeatedly unlocked space on the right.

Three Things We Learned: Vascão out-shot the visitors 16–9 and registered six efforts on target to three. Furacão's closest moment was Luiz Gustavo striking the post after the interval. Cruz-Maltino won 68.0% of tackles and 53.3% of duels, a platform for the clean sheet.