Vasco nick it late against Independiente Medellín, into Sul-Americana | OneFootball

Vasco punched its ticket to the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 on an emotional night at São Januário this Wednesday (29). The team coached by Pedro Emanuel beat Independiente Medellín 1-0, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Colombia.

The goal that secured both the win and qualification came in the 40th minute of the second half, off the feet of defensive midfielder Thiago Mendes, sending the fans at the stadium into raptures. With the positive result confirmed, the Rio club now prepares to face Olimpia of Paraguay in the next stage of the continental tournament.

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The match

The game began nervously, with Vasco struggling at times to break through the defensive block set up by the Colombian side in the first half. The visitors threatened in the opening minutes after taking advantage of a mistake while playing out from the back by Vasco’s defense, but Medina’s shot went wide. The home side’s main dangerous moments came from full-back Paulo Henrique, who stood out with his physical strength on forward runs, setting up Andrés Gómez for the best chance of the first half, but he also shot wide.

The match remained scrappy after the break, with Vasco pushing forward but lacking accuracy in attempts by Ramon Rique and Argentine center-forward Spinelli. The tension rose at Colina when Vasco players appealed for a handball by Mantilla inside the box after a shot by Adson, but Argentine referee Maximiliano Ramirez waved play on. The coaching staff’s persistence paid off in the closing stages, when Brenner found Adson, who spotted Paulo Henrique free on the right to deliver a perfect cross for Thiago Mendes to fire into the net and seal the score.

With no time to rest after the qualification celebration at São Januário, Vasco immediately turns its focus to the Copa do Brasil. The club returns to the pitch next Saturday (1) at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time) for a derby against Fluminense at the Maracanã, in the first leg of the national competition’s round of 16. In the Brazilian Championship, the team’s next challenge will be against Bahia on August 9 at Arena Fonte Nova.

Thiago Mendes celebrates the qualification-clinching goal – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

VASCO 1 x 0 INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN-COL

Copa Sudamericana – Playoffs (Second leg)Venue: São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)Date and time: 7/29/2026, at 7 p.m. (Brasília time)Goals: Thiago Mendes 40’/2nd half (1-0)

VASCO: Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Carlos Cuesta, Robert Renan (Saldivia 14’/2nd half) and Lucas Piton (Cuiabano 11’/2nd half); Tchê Tchê (Adson 11’/2nd half), Thiago Mendes and Ramon Rique (Jair  20’/2nd half); Nuno Moreira, Andrés Gómez and Spinelli (Brenner 20’/2nd half). Coach: Pedro Emanuel.INDEPENDIENTE MEDELLÍN-COL: Eder Chaux; Esneyder Mena, Mantilla, Varela and Jhan Mena; Didier Moreno (Perlaza 36’/2nd half), Loboa (Yony González 13’/2nd half) and Martegani; Juan Córdoba (Klinger 45’/2nd half), Montaño (Cataño 36’/2nd half) and Medina. Coach: Luis Perea.

Referee: Maximiliano Ramirez (ARG)Assistants: Pablo Gonzales (ARG) and Pablo Acevedo (ARG)VAR: Hector Paletta (ARG)Yellow cards: Spinelli, Thiago Mendes and Jair (VAS); Klinger (IND)Red cards: None

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