How Vasco could reach Copa Sul-Americana despite defeat: extra spot | OneFootball

Vasco wraps up its participation in the Brazilian Championship this Sunday (07) with a clear objective: to secure a spot in international competitions for 2026. Free from relegation, the focus now is on the Copa Sudamericana. The team depends solely on its own efforts to stamp its passport, but the standings and regulations present some interesting scenarios that could benefit the Cruz-Maltino even if they stumble in the final round.

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Victory secures it, draw and defeat cause concern

The simplest calculation for Vasco fans is a win. If they defeat Atlético-MG at the Arena MRV, Vasco won’t depend on anyone else, secures their position, and could even jump to 9th place, overtaking rivals like Grêmio, Corinthians, and Bragantino. A draw, however, raises a warning flag: the club would need to hope that only one of its direct rivals (Santos, Ceará, or Fortaleza) wins their matches.

The defeat scenario is the most dangerous. If they lose in Belo Horizonte, Vasco runs the risk of plummeting down the table. If all three direct competitors win, Fernando Diniz’s team could finish the competition in a disappointing 16th place, missing out on the traditional qualification zone. However, there is a “trump card” in the regulations that could save the club’s plans.

The “Copa do Brasil” factor and the extra spot

There is a real possibility of the G12 turning into G14. This happens due to the performance of the Copa do Brasil semifinalists (Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, and Vasco themselves) in the Brasileirão. If all these clubs finish the national championship above 13th place, the qualification zone for the Sudamericana extends.

In this specific scenario, even the 14th-placed team in the Brasileirão would inherit a spot in the continental tournament. In other words, even if Vasco doesn’t win the knockout title and stumbles at the end of the league, the overall performance of their rivals on both fronts could guarantee them an international calendar for 2026.

Vasco needs to win to depend on no one – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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