Vasco seek to repeat 2009 feat, end drought v Juventude | OneFootball

November 7, 2009 is a date forever marked in the history of Vasco da Gama. In front of over 80,000 fans at Maracanã, the Cruz-Maltino defeated Juventude by 2-1, secured their return to Série A, and broke the attendance record for Brazilian football that year. The match became a symbol of the motto that inspired the club during their Série B campaign: “The feeling cannot stop.”

Sixteen years later, the teams face each other again this Saturday (8th), for the 33rd round of the Brazilian Championship, at São Januário. And an uncomfortable taboo persists: Vasco has not beaten Juventude since that historic afternoon.

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The Promotion Celebration

Led by Dorival Júnior, Vasco took the field needing only a win to mathematically guarantee promotion. The team lived up to expectations and opened the scoring with Adriano, one of the standouts of their Série B title campaign.

Juventude responded in the second half and equalized with Irineu, a former Flamengo defender. Tension filled the stands, but the celebration was only postponed. Shortly after, Adriano shone again: he received the ball at speed, dribbled past goalkeeper Juninho and was fouled — the keeper was sent off, and an outfield player had to go in goal. Carlos Alberto converted the penalty and sealed the 2-1 victory.

After the final whistle, the players displayed two memorable banners: “The feeling brought us back” and “Thank you for the infinite love”. Captain Carlos Alberto even did a lap of honor with a huge number 1, symbolizing the return to the top tier of Brazilian football.

With the win, Vasco reached 70 points, seven ahead of second-placed Ceará and 13 clear of 5th-placed Figueirense, mathematically securing promotion. The title would come weeks later, with 76 points, and Élton would finish as top scorer of Série B with 17 goals.

Vasco vs Juventude, 2009 — Photo: Reproduction

Historic Lineup

Vasco (2009): Fernando Prass; Paulo Sérgio, Fernando, Titi and Ramon; Nilton, Souza (Alex Teixeira), Allan and Carlos Alberto (Magno); Adriano and Élton (Aloísio).Coach: Dorival Júnior.

The Taboo Against Juventude

Since that November 7, 2009, Vasco has not beaten Juventude. There have only been three meetings since: two matches in the 2024 Brasileirão — a 2-0 defeat in Caxias do Sul and a 1-1 draw at São Januário — and another 2-0 loss in the first round of 2025, at Alfredo Jaconi.

Now, playing at home again, the Gigante da Colina is trying to end a 16-year drought and find their way back to victory in the Brasileirão. Fernando Diniz’s team is looking to bounce back after two consecutive defeats (to São Paulo and Botafogo) and continues to fight for a spot in continental competitions.

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Juventude vs Vasco — Photo: Luiz Erbes/AGIF

Vasco is in 9th place with 42 points, while Juventude sits in 18th position with 29 points, fighting to avoid relegation.

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