Vasco hit back at rivals, surge in second half: here’s their turnaround | OneFootball

Vasco is experiencing a different phase in the Brazilian Championship. After a turbulent start, the team completely changed its stance in the second half of the competition. Under the command of Fernando Diniz, the Cruz-Maltino not only distanced itself from the relegation zone but also firmly entered the fight for a spot in the 2026 Libertadores.

The transformation is clear in the numbers. In the first 11 rounds of the first half, Vasco accumulated only 10 points. Against the same opponents in the second half, the performance more than doubled: 23 points were earned, raising the success rate from 30% to 69%.

+ From criticized to decisive: what changed in Lucas Piton after Vasco's defensive evolution

Vasco players celebrate victory over Bragantino — Photo: Joisel Amaral/AGIF

Regarding the results, the team showed improvement in almost all matches. The only defeats in the second half were precisely against Palmeiras and Corinthians, opponents who had also defeated Cruz-Maltino in the first half. On the other hand, Vasco got revenge against Cruzeiro, Vitória, Fluminense, and Bragantino, in addition to repeating victories against Santos, Sport, and Fortaleza and drawing with Flamengo.

With this surge, Vasco reached the eighth position, totaling 42 points, and enters the final stretch of the Brasileirão boosted by four consecutive victories.

The next challenge will be against São Paulo, an opponent that Cruz-Maltino already defeated in the first half, by 3 to 1, at Morumbi — with goals from Rayan, Nuno Moreira, and Vegetti.

+ Vasco advances in negotiations about São Januário's construction potential

Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco.

If they maintain consistency and confirm their good form, fans can start dreaming big: from a troubled start to fighting for the Libertadores, Vasco shows that the turnaround is real.

+ Follow Papo na Colina's social media: Thread, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Google News

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