Drama and redemption: Robert Renan fires Vasco into semi-finals

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Papo na Colina

·13 September 2025

Drama and redemption: Robert Renan fires Vasco into semi-finals

A penalty shootout is always breathtaking, and this Thursday night at Nilton Santos proved it. After a 1-1 draw in regular time, Vasco came out on top in the shootout, winning 5-3 and eliminating Botafogo, securing a spot in the Copa do Brasil semifinal against Fluminense. But the behind-the-scenes moments of the contest revealed much more than just technique: they showed emotion, strategy, and even redemption.

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Vasco players celebrate victory over Botafogo — Photo: André Durão

Diniz’s huddle and the speech that motivated the team

As soon as the match ended, Vasco’s players gathered on the field to decide the order of the penalty takers. In the center of the huddle, Fernando Diniz delivered an impassioned speech, making his presence felt and motivating the team: “Courage is for those who take the shot, not for those who score,” said the coach.

In the press conference, Diniz shared details of the decision:

“I had a list ready from the first to the 23rd. I chose those who were used to taking penalties. And Robert Renan was the only one who hadn’t said anything, but he was ready. I said, ‘Robert, you take the fifth.’ He replied, ‘Alright.’ It was more intuitive than planned.”
“He deserved this reward, he went through tough times at Inter. He was the best person to take the fifth penalty.”

Robert Renan: from pressure to redemption

Defender Robert Renan carried the weight of a mistake for Internacional in 2024, when he missed a chipped penalty that resulted in the team’s elimination from the Gauchão. For Vasco, he took the final decisive penalty and secured the qualification, experiencing a moment of redemption. Before the kick, he confessed he thought about his past mistake, but stayed focused and confident.

Puma Rodríguez even tried to joke with him: “Chip it, chip it, chip it!” but Robert didn’t hear and struck it firmly, across the goal, sending Vasco to the semifinal.

Léo Jardim: Vasco’s wall

The group’s confidence in Léo Jardim was absolute. Since his arrival in January 2023, the goalkeeper has participated in six penalty shootouts in the Copa do Brasil and won five of them. On Alex Telles’ kick, Léo made his seventh penalty save for the club. Puma highlighted the team’s confidence:

“We knew he would save at least one penalty. We just needed to do our part.”

Léo himself explained his strategy: “It’s intuition, study. We try to read the taker and influence them somehow. It’s a mental game between the goalkeeper and the player, along with the coaching staff’s preparation.”

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Léo Jardim saves a penalty in Botafogo vs Vasco — Photo: André Durão

Celebration and joy

With all penalties converted, Robert Renan scored the fifth penalty and the fans erupted along with the players and coaching staff behind the goal. Now, Vasco prepares to face Fluminense in the semifinal, on December 10 and 14.

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