Vasco's set-piece prowess: 12th dead-ball goal in Brasileirão

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Papo na Colina

·25 September 2025

Vasco's set-piece prowess: 12th dead-ball goal in Brasileirão

Vasco has once again shown that set pieces are one of their main weapons in the Brazilian Championship. In the 3-1 victory over Bahia at São Januário, the goal that turned the match around came precisely from this play: after a corner from Nuno Moreira, Puma Rodríguez appeared well positioned to find the back of the net and pave the way for the win.

The play reinforces a pattern in Fernando Diniz’s team. There have already been 12 goals scored from set pieces in the competition, a number that accounts for one third of the team’s 36 goals in the tournament. The statistic, compiled by Gato Mestre, places Vasco among the deadliest teams in this type of play, occupying 4th place in the overall ranking.

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Puma Rodríguez celebrates his goal in the Vasco vs Bahia match — Photo: André Durão

Set piece goal ranking in the Brasileirão:

Mirassol – 14 goals (34% of total)
Cruzeiro – 13 goals (33%)
Palmeiras – 13 goals (36%)
Vasco – 12 goals (33%)

During the press conference, coach Rogério Ceni, the defeated opponent of the night, revealed that he had warned his players about this Vasco characteristic:

“One of the reasons Rezende played was precisely because of Vasco’s set pieces. Their last five goals had come this way. It’s impressive, because it’s not a tall team, but it’s very efficient,” Ceni highlighted.

In recent matches, the Cruzmaltino has been especially effective with corner kicks. In the derby against Flamengo, Rayan scored with a header, and Puma Rodríguez even hit the post in another similar play. In addition, the team has already scored from crossed free kicks, a throw-in, a direct free kick by Philippe Coutinho, and four penalties.

This efficiency in set pieces has been crucial given the difficulties Vasco has faced this season, such as absences and individual errors. Against Bahia, for example, the goal conceded came from a passing mistake by Lucas Freitas during the build-up — the 10th goal the team has conceded due to individual errors, a number that makes them the negative leader in this aspect.

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Vasco vs Bahia – Brasileirão – São Januário — Photo: André Durão

Puma’s goal, however, had symbolic weight: it secured the comeback and also marked the end of a 130-day winless streak at São Januário in the Brasileirão.

Next Saturday, Vasco will face another challenge at home, against second-placed Cruzeiro, in the 25th round of the competition.

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