Vasco beat Palmeiras to win maiden Brasileiro Under-20 title | OneFootball

Andrey Fernandes celebrates the goal he scoredCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Vasco are the Brazilian U-20 champions. After losing the first leg of the final 1-0 at São Januário, the Cruz-Maltino side went to Nubank Parque this Friday (4), beat Palmeiras 2-0, and turned the tie around to win the national title. The goals were scored by forward Andrey Fernandes.

The title is Vasco’s first in the competition. In their first-ever Brazilian U-20 Championship final, the Rio de Janeiro side managed to overturn the first-leg deficit and lift the trophy against the reigning two-time champions. The triumph caps a campaign marked by defensive consistency and clutch performances in the knockout rounds.

Vasco’s campaign ended with 40 goals scored in 24 matches, but it was their defensive solidity that proved to be one of the team’s main strengths. With just 23 goals conceded, they had the best defense in the competition and confirmed that strength in the final by neutralizing Palmeiras’ attempts and protecting the lead until the final whistle.

THE MATCH

Vasco began the match trying to impose themselves and had their first opportunity from a corner kick in the second minute. Palmeiras responded quickly and, in the fifth minute, nearly leveled the score. Heittor received the ball on the left, drove into the box, but was stopped by Wanyson just as he was about to shoot.

The final took place at Nubank ParqueCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Vasco’s response came in the very next minute and it was clinical. After a move built down the right, Andrey Fernandes received the ball inside the box, controlled it, and struck it firmly across goal. The ball even hit the post before ending up in the back of the net.

The goal changed the complexion of the final, but Palmeiras did not take long to regain territorial control. In the 25th minute, Allan Barcellos was forced to make a change: Felipe Teresa felt a muscular problem and left the field, with Victor Gabriel coming on in his place.

As time went on, Palmeiras’ pressure increased. Benedetti even threatened with a header over the bar, but the play was stopped for offside. In the 32nd minute, Andrey Fernandes was shown a yellow card for stopping a Palmeiras counterattack.

Palmeiras began to threaten the Vasco penalty area more frequently. In the 34th minute, Erick Belé had a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box, but hit the wall. A minute later, Fabiano sent another free kick directly toward goal, and Vasco’s defense deflected it for a corner. From the ensuing set piece, Phillipe Gabriel punched the ball away and cleared the danger.

The match was fiercely contested Credits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

In the 38th minute came Palmeiras’ best spell. First, Erick Belé curled a free kick with quality and forced Phillipe Gabriel into a great save to prevent the equalizer. Moments later, after another corner, Luis Saboia picked up the loose ball and shot just wide.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Palmeiras kept moving the ball around in the attacking third, while Vasco tried to hold on to the lead they had built early on.

Second half

Palmeiras came back from the break trying to respond. In the ninth minute, Erick Belé received the ball on the right, cut onto his left foot, and tried his luck, but mishit it and sent the ball over the bar. Shortly afterward, Heittor went down inside the box and appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. There was no contact from the Vasco defender in the play.

In the 11th minute, Palmeiras had another good chance. From a short corner on the right, Vinicius lifted the ball to the near post, where Heittor appeared to glance it with a header. The finish went close, but out beyond the end line.

Just as Palmeiras seemed to be gaining ground in search of an equalizer, Vasco struck again. In the 13th minute, a cross from the right found Bruno Lopes at the far post. Almost on the byline, the forward managed to knock the ball back across goal. Andrey Fernandes beat Benedetti in the air and, despite being physically at a disadvantage in the duel, powered home a header for his second goal of the match.

The game was played at an intense pace, with Palmeiras pushing forward and Vasco responding whenever space opened up. After taking the lead, the Rio side had to withstand Palmeiras’ pressure at different moments, but managed to stay organized and control the advantage they had built over the course of the final.

In the closing minutes, Palmeiras threw themselves forward in search of a comeback, but could not find the space to break through Vasco’s defense. The Rio team held firm under pressure, kept the score at 2-0, and completed the turnaround in the final to win the Brazilian U-20 Championship for the first time.

Vasco players and coaching staffCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

MATCH DETAILS

PALMEIRAS 0 X 2 VASCO

Brazilian U-20 Championship — Final

Date: 09/04/2026 (Friday)

Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Nubank Parque, São Paulo (SP)

Referee: Joao Paulo Cunha Ribeiro (GO)

Assistant referees: Igor Alves de Moraes (GO) and Lucas Cunha Passaglia (GO)

Fourth official: Gustavo Alencar Rodrigues (SP)

VAR: Leonardo Rotondo Pinto (MG)

Goals: Andrey Fernandes (2) (Vasco)

Yellow cards: Andrey Fernandes and Bruno Lopes (Vasco); Fabiano, Kidani and Vinicius (Palmeiras)

Palmeiras: Kauan Lima; Luis Saboia (João Gabriel), Pimenta, Benedetti and João Paulo (Niakson); André Lucas (Kidani), Felipe Teresa (Victor Gabriel) and Vinicius; Heittor, Erick Belé and Fabiano. Head coach: Allan Barcellos.

Vasco: Phillipe Gabriel; Lucas Melim (Breno Sales), Wanyson, Bruno André and Avellar (Luís Felipe); Samuel (Léo Félix), Gustavo Guimarães and Zuccarello; Andrey Fernandes (Diego Minete), Juninho (Alison) and Bruno Lopes (Bernardo). Head coach: Matheus Curopos.

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