Vasco eye last 16 as new status revives Copa do Brasil title dream | OneFootball

Vasco host Paysandu at São Januário on Wednesday seeking to confirm a last-16 place in the Copa do Brasil after winning the first leg 2-0, keeping alive hopes of ending a 15-year wait for the trophy.

As reported by Globo.com, this is the club’s third Copa do Brasil campaign under president Pedrinho, who oversaw a semi-final in 2024 and a finish as runners-up in 2025. Those runs featured six shootout triumphs and painful late exits, and in the final year of his mandate the team approach the tournament with the confidence of a renewed status.

In 2024, with Rafael Paiva in charge, Vasco were knocked out by Atlético-MG after a 2-1 defeat at Arena MRV and a 1-1 draw at São Januário. The route to the semi-finals included consecutive penalty victories over Água Santa, Fortaleza and Athletico-PR, marking the club’s first semi-final in 13 years.

Last year, under Carille, they opened with a 3-0 win away to União Rondonópolis and beat Nova Iguaçu 3-0 in the third phase. Operário, then rivals Botafogo and Fluminense, were all edged on penalties before a 0-0 first leg in São Paulo and a 2-1 defeat to Corinthians at the Maracanã in the final.

This is Vasco’s 35th Copa do Brasil campaign. If they advance, it will be the 27th time they have reached the last 16, adding to a record that includes the 2011 title, finals in 2006 and 2025, and seven semi-final appearances.

Source: Globo.com