Decisive figure runs the game as Vasco da Gama take control | OneFootball

Thiago Mendes set the tone in the 32nd minute with a defence-splitting pass that forced a save, and his control from midfield underpinned Vasco da Gama's 3-1 win over Cruzeiro.

For the Cruz-Maltino, the Brazilian kept piercing lines, sliding another precise pass that produced a sharp stop (43.). His calm on the ball and willingness to play forward steadied the game whenever pressure rose.

After the restart he kept feeding runners, creating another opening from the inside-left channel (60.). Moments later he released a team-mate again to threaten Raposa (78.). He was still dictating late on, teeing up a right-back for a rising effort (88.).

Mendes' numbers told the story: five key passes, 46 of 51 passes completed, 27 successful final third passes, 13 recoveries and two blocks. He was also fouled five times, a measure of how often he received between the lines and drew contact.

Because he kept receiving cleanly and playing forward under pressure, Vascão controlled the key phases and kept Zeiro pinned back.

Cruz-Maltino rise from 19th to 16th in the table and visit Fluminense next. Raposa remain fifth and host Athletico Paranaense next.

How high would you rate Mendes' performance tonight?