In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, April 12, 2025, Vasco da Gama triumphed over Sport Recife with a score of 3-1 in the third round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The match took place at São Januário Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first direct clash between these two historic clubs in three years.
Vasco's star of the night was undoubtedly Pablo Vegetti, who delivered an outstanding performance by scoring two goals, both in the first half. The first came in the 29th minute when he capitalized on a well-placed cross from Lucas Piton, heading the ball into the net to give Vasco a 1-0 lead. Just before halftime, he struck again, doubling the advantage to 2-0 after a clever setup from Coutinho.
After the break, the momentum shifted slightly when Sérgio Oliveira pulled one back for Sport, scoring in the 57th minute following a corner kick that was poorly defended by Vasco. This goal ignited hopes for a comeback from the visitors, who had been struggling this season.
However, Vasco sealed their victory with a late goal from substitute Rayan, who found the net in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error from Sport's goalkeeper, Caíque França. Rayan's goal capped off a solid performance for the home side, who now temporarily sit in third place in the league standings.
The match was officiated by referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio, with assistant referees Alessandro Álvaro Rocha de Matos and Leone Carvalho Rocha, and VAR overseen by Caio Max Augusto Vieira.
Vasco's lineup featured Léo Jardim in goal, with a back four of Paulo Henrique, João Victor, Lucas Freitas, and Lucas Piton. The midfield consisted of Hugo Moura, Tchê Tchê, and Coutinho, while the attacking trio included Nuno Moreira, Garré, and Vegetti. On the other hand, Sport started with Caique França; Hereda, João Silva, Lucas Cunha, and Chico; Rivera, Du Queiroz, Sérgio Oliveira, and Lucas Lima; Barletta and Pablo up front.
Despite the loss, Sport's performance showed glimpses of potential, especially in the second half. They had opportunities to further reduce the deficit, including a close effort from Fabrício that hit the post.
This match not only marked a significant victory for Vasco but also highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the two clubs, which dates back decades. Historically, Vasco has had the upper hand, winning 15 of their 33 encounters against Sport, with the latter claiming victory in just eight. The remaining ten matches ended in draws.
Vasco's win is crucial as they look to build on this momentum after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Corinthians in their previous league match. Coach Fábio Carille's position was under scrutiny, and this victory provides some much-needed relief.
Looking ahead, both teams have challenging fixtures in the coming week. Sport will face RB Bragantino on Tuesday, April 16, while Vasco will aim to maintain their form against upcoming opponents. The league is heating up, and every point is vital as teams vie for position in the table.
In a post-match statement, Vegetti expressed his joy, saying, "It feels great to contribute to the team's success. We worked hard, and tonight it paid off. We need to keep this momentum going as we head into the next matches."
As the dust settles on this match, Vasco fans can savor the victory, while Sport will need to regroup and refocus as they search for their first win of the season. The rivalry continues, and the stakes are only getting higher as the Campeonato Brasileiro unfolds.
