From Operário to Canobbio repeat, Léo Jardim sends Vasco into Copa do Brasil final | OneFootball

Léo Jardim saved his sixth penalty of this Copa do Brasil as Vasco knocked out Fluminense to reach the final.

According to Globo.com, the goalkeeper has denied Neto Paraíba, Thales Oleques, Allan Godói, Alex Telles, John Kennedy and Canobbio this year.

In the third phase against Operário-PR at São Januário, he saved Neto Paraíba’s opener, then, after Paulo Henrique and João Victor missed for Vasco, he stopped Thales Oleques’ final kick.

Vasco then moved past CSA with little drama.

After a 1-1 first leg, the return at Nilton Santos ended 1-1. Jardim fouled Joaquín Corrêa, Alex Telles converted, but the keeper redeemed himself by saving Telles in the shootout.

The semi-final followed a similar arc. He fouled Everaldo in the first game before Serna opened the scoring. In the shootout he saved John Kennedy after Vegetti’s miss, then held his ground to thwart Canobbio, a player he also stopped in 2024 against Athletico-PR.

Jardim said reaching the final reflects the supporters’ and squad’s dream, credited his form to hard work, and called it gratifying to help restore Vasco to major title fights. He added that penalties are largely mental, and that his decision on Canobbio mixed study with intuition.

After the late semi-final setback to Atlético-MG in 2024, he now has the chance to help deliver a national trophy. If that happens, the 2025 Copa do Brasil would carry his imprint.

Source: Globo.com