Vasco match historic 2011 feat on eve of Copa do Brasil decider | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama arrives for the grand finale of the Copa do Brasil carrying not only the hopes of its fans but also a statistical coincidence that harks back to its glory days. With the goalless draw against Corinthians last Wednesday (17), the Cruz-Maltino reached the milestone of 70 games in the season, something that hadn't happened in almost 15 years.

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The mirror of 2011

The last time the club reached this number of matches was precisely in 2011, the magical year when they won the Copa do Brasil. Since then, the team came close to this mark on three occasions (2012, 2015, and 2018), stopping at 67 games, but never breaking the seven-decade barrier again.

For the superstitious, the repetition of this physical marathon is a positive omen. If in 2011 the season ended with a trophy in the cabinet and 74 games played, in 2025 Vasco will conclude the year with 71 matches, with the last and decisive one being this Sunday's final.

The Giant was champion in 2011 – Photo: Official Site Vasco.com.br

Maracanã packed for game 71

The full calendar was the result of long campaigns in the State Championship, the Brasileirão, the South American Cup, and the Copa do Brasil. Now, "game 71" will be the most important of all. The return match against Corinthians at Maracanã is already sold out.

The fans hope that, just like in the year when Vasco played the most in the past decade, the final effort will be rewarded with a victory lap at the world's greatest football stage.

Vascão can win the Copa do Brasil again – Photo: Alexandre Loureiro/AGIF

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.