Hugo Moura back in Vasco XI after month for Athletico-PR reunion | OneFootball

Hugo Moura returns to Vasco’s starting line-up on Sunday, buoyed by his late equaliser against Flamengo, and will face former club Athletico-PR. It will be his first Brazilian championship start in more than a month.

Globo.com reports that he replaces Cauan Barros, who is suspended after a third yellow card. It is another reunion for Moura, who played for Athletico-PR from 2022 to 2024.

Moura joined Vasco on loan from the Furacão in 2024 and endured a rocky start, most notably a red card within minutes against Athletico-PR in one of his first outings. Vasco lost that round 5 match 1-0 at the Arena da Baixada.

He later established himself as a starter and was among the team’s standout performers that season under Rafael Paiva. In 2025 his form dipped and he drew criticism, but under Renato Gaúcho he was used regularly and delivered a dramatic leveller in this year’s clássico.

The coach has called him the squad’s favourite, highlighting his work ethic, the trust of staff and team-mates, and the boost from scoring such an important goal. Moura began Renato Gaúcho’s tenure with five straight starts during a run of three wins and two draws, then dropped to the bench.

Since then he has made two league appearances as a substitute, a win over São Paulo and a draw with Flamengo. His last start in the competition was on 1 April, a 1-1 draw with Coritiba at Couto Pereira.

Source: Globo.com