Down to ten men, Vasco see off Fortaleza for second win on the bounce | OneFootball

Vasco defeated Fortaleza 2-0 on Wednesday, in the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship, at Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza (CE). The team was down to ten men in the first half after Hugo Moura was sent off. Even so, the team from Rio opened the scoring before the break with Rayan. In the second half, Fortaleza pressed but saw the visitors secure the victory with David.

Standings

With the result, Vasco secured their second consecutive victory and moved up to ninth place in the competition, with 36 points. Meanwhile, Fortaleza remains in 18th place, in the relegation zone, with 24 points.

Match Summary

🔴🔵 FORTALEZA 0 x 2 VASCO ⚫⚪

Competition: Brazilian Championship (28th round) Venue: Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza (CE) Date: October 15, 2025 (Wednesday) Time: 9:30 PM (Brasília time) Yellow cards: Gastón Ávila, Kuscevic, Deyverson, and Britez (Fortaleza); Robert Renan and Coutinho (Vasco) Red cards: Bareiro, Paulo Roberto, Kuscevic (Fortaleza); Hugo Moura (Vasco)

Refereeing

Goals

Rayan, 48min of 1st Half (Vasco) David, 36min of 2nd Half (Vasco)

🔴🔵 FORTALEZA Brenno; Mancuso, Brítez, Kuscevic, and Gastón Ávila; Rodrigo Santos (Rossetto), Lucas Crispim, Pochetinno (Yago Pikachu), and Guzmán; Breno Lopes and Lucero (Bareiro) Coach: Martín Palermo

⚫⚪ VASCO Léo Jardim, Tchê Tchê (Mateus Carvalho), Cuesta, Robert Renan, and Lucas Piton (Victor Luís); Hugo Moura, Barros, and Coutinho (Puma Rodriguez); Rayan, Nuno Moreira (Matheus França), and Andres Gómez (David) Coach: Fernando Diniz

How was the game?

Fortaleza almost opened the scoring just two minutes in. Breno Lopes was launched and tried to lob Léo Jardim, but sent it over the crossbar. Then, Mancuso took advantage of a cross but missed the finish. Vasco responded at ten minutes. Goméz crossed low, Nuno Moreira and Rayan couldn't push it into the net. Mancuso tried to clear and saw the ball hit the post. Shortly after, Roberto Renan took advantage of a corner and headed it wide.

After a lively start, the match lost momentum. Fortaleza and Vasco continued to seek attacks but stopped creating good chances. The situation changed at 39 minutes when Hugo Moura fouled Guzmán. After being called by the VAR, the referee sent off the Vasco midfielder.

With the numerical advantage, Fortaleza pushed forward in search of a goal. However, it was Vasco who took advantage of the spaces given by the hosts to score at 48. Rayan was launched, entered the area, and shot with no chance for Brenno.

In the second half, Fortaleza attempted to press in the opening minutes. The hosts had three opportunities with Breno Lopes. Then, Ávila was stopped by a save from Léo Jardim. Vasco managed to advance at 12 minutes. Rayan, once again, took the ball in midfield and tried a shot from outside the area, but Brenno made the save.

The Cearenses had their best opportunity at 16 minutes. After a ball was lifted into the area, Kuscevic headed for a great save by Léo Jardim. Then, Bareiro took advantage of a cross and volleyed for another save by the Vasco goalkeeper.

Fortaleza continued the pressure and created another chance at 20 minutes. Mancuso took advantage of a cross and finished for a great save by Léo Jardim. Then, it was Moisés' turn to shoot first-time and be stopped by the Rio goalkeeper.

Vasco, just like in the first half, took advantage of a counterattack to extend the lead at 36 minutes. Puma Rodríguez crossed, Brenno gave a rebound, and David sent it into the net.

The new setback was felt by Fortaleza. Even so, the hosts almost scored when Puma Rodriguez tried to clear a ball and sent it onto his own post. Vasco didn't face more scares for the rest of the match and even saw Bareiro being sent off before the end.

Next matches

In the next round, Fortaleza visits Cruzeiro this Saturday at Mineirão. Meanwhile, Vasco will face Fluminense in the classic on Monday at Maracanã.

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