Roberto Dinamite’s five-goal return remembered as Vasco face Corinthians at the Maracanã | OneFootball

Vasco reach their first final since the death of club icon Roberto Dinamite this Sunday. The moment summons memories of his most celebrated homecoming 45 years ago.

According to Globo.com, in 1980 Dinamite returned after a short spell at Barcelona and re-debuted against Corinthians at the Maracanã before about 107,000 fans. He scored all five in a 5-2 Brasileirão win.

Caçapava opened for Corinthians, threatening to spoil the party. Dinamite then hit four before the interval to flip the game. Sócrates converted a penalty, before Roberto struck a fifth in the second half, one of the Maracanã’s great performances.

His comeback already electrified Vasco’s support, and the transfer carried extra spice. Flamengo had signed a pre-contract, but club figure Olavo Monteiro de Carvalho sent Eurico Miranda to Barcelona to intervene in the deal.

Dinamite later served as club president during Vasco’s last national title, the 2011 Copa do Brasil. He died in January 2023, and most of the players in the 2025 finalists were signed from that point, meaning he knew few of them.

A Copa do Brasil triumph, against the same opponents in the same stadium, with two academy products starring, would be among the finest tributes to him. Kick-off is at 18:00 Brasília time on Sunday.

Source: Globo.com