Vasco knock out rivals, just one Copa do Brasil loss so far

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Central do Timão

·17 décembre 2025

Vasco knock out rivals, just one Copa do Brasil loss so far

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

Corinthians and Vasco begin the grand final of the 2025 Copa do Brasil on the night of this Wednesday (17). The first match of the decision takes place at the Neo Química Arena, in Itaquera, starting at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), with both teams arriving after penalty shootouts.

The Rio club, like Timão, did not have an easy path to the final. Not participating in the Libertadores, Vasco da Gama started the Copa do Brasil in the first phase, defeating União-MT 3-0. In the second phase, they also beat Nova Iguaçu 3-0. Both matches were single-leg games.

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Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

In the next phase, they began the confrontation in two-legged matches. The Gigante da Colina played two games against Operário-PR and drew both 1-1, deciding the spot on penalties. In the shootout, Vasco won 7-6 and took another step towards the final.

The round of 16 was more relaxed for the Rio club. Even drawing away against CSA-AL, Philippe Coutinho, Rayan, and Tchê Tchê scored for a 3-1 victory in the return match, advancing Vasco to face Botafogo, their first knockout stage rival.

Vasco and Botafogo drew both matches 1-1 and decided the spot on penalties, with the Gigante da Colina eliminating their rival at the Estádio Nilton Santos, with a 5-3 in the shootout.

In the semifinal, another rival: Fluminense even started winning in the first leg, but Vasco managed a draw and went into the return leg able to draw and qualify. With the defeat in the second game – their first in the competition – the decision went to penalties again, with Léo Jardim being the protagonist by saving a shot in the middle.

Thus, both teams reach the Copa do Brasil final with only one defeat, precisely suffered in the return leg of the semifinal, leading to a penalty shootout. It is worth mentioning that Corinthians entered in the third phase, so they have two fewer games than Vasco in the campaign.

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