It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Vasco da Gama punched their ticket to the Copa do Brasil finalMaracanã Stadium on Sunday, December 14, 2025, after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over archrivals Fluminense. The match, played at 8:30 PM Brasília Time, ended 1-0 in favor of Fluminense during regular time, but Vasco’s cool heads and goalkeeper Léo Jardim’s heroics turned the tide. The result capped a two-leg semifinal that began with Vasco’s 2-1 win in the first leg, and now, the club is one step away from their second Copa do Brasil title in history.
The Match That Broke Rio
Fluminense entered the second leg needing a two-goal margin to advance outright. A one-goal win would force penalties. They got the goal—Kevin Serna’s 23rd-minute strike—but nothing more. Vasco, despite being outplayed for long stretches, held firm. Their defense, anchored by Cuesta and Robert Renan, absorbed wave after wave. And when it mattered most, Léo Jardim stood tall. He saved Fluminense’s third penalty, taken by Lucho Acosta, then watched as Serna and Everaldo missed their final attempts. Meanwhile, all four Vasco shooters—Paulo Henrique, Cuesta, Robert Renan, and Rayan—converted with icy precision. The final score: Fluminense 1 (3) x (4) 0 Vasco.The Provocation That Ignited Rio
The celebration didn’t stop at the final whistle. Within minutes, Vasco’s official social media posted an image of Rayan forming the letter ‘C’ with his hands—a deliberate, biting nod to Fluminense’s humiliating 1999 relegation to Brazil’s third division. The caption? “Classificado.” Qualified. Then came the flood. A poetic, alliterative manifesto, almost entirely in words beginning with ‘C’:Classificado com categoria, competência e consciência. Campeão carioca, conquistador de Copas. Chegamos com chama, com coração. Causamos caos, causamos celebração. Clube que carrega centenas de conquistas. Classificação conquistada com calma e coragem. Cabeça no céu, coração no peito. Cariocas, campeões, clube centenário. Cada um de nós, cada um por todos. Cumpriu-se o ciclo. Classificados!Rayan didn’t hold back either. On his personal Instagram, he posted a close-up of his hand forming the letter ‘C’ with a shushing emoji. No words. Just silence. And the message: We’re here. You’re not.
History Repeats—Again
This is Vasco’s third Copa do Brasil final appearance. They won it in 2001, lost in 2011. Fluminense, by contrast, won it once—in 2007—and were runners-up in 2022. But this time, the stakes were higher. For Vasco, victory means automatic qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores. Fluminense, already qualified via their Série A finish, had hoped to add a trophy to their cabinet. Instead, they’re left with a bitter pill: another semifinal exit, another emotional collapse on home soil.The starting lineups told a story. Vasco’s coach Fernando Diniz deployed a compact 4-4-2, prioritizing discipline over flair. Fluminense’s Luís Zubeldía, known for his attacking schemes, overcommitted. By the 70th minute, their midfield was exposed. The crowd—nearly 70,000 strong—fell silent after Serna’s goal. Then, as the minutes ticked toward penalties, the tension turned to dread.
The Penalty Specialist
Vasco has become infamous for their penalty prowess. This was their fourth consecutive knockout match decided by spot kicks in the last 18 months. Memes exploded online: “Vasco: especialista em pênaltis.” “Classificação mais uma vez nos pênaltis.” Even Brazilian comedians turned it into a running gag. But behind the jokes is a truth: Diniz’s men train penalties daily. They film them. They simulate crowd noise. They rehearse under pressure. And when the lights are brightest, they don’t blink.Fluminense’s players, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked. Thiago Silva, the veteran center-back, sat on the turf for nearly five minutes after the final whistle, head in hands. Martinelli walked off without shaking hands. The emotional toll was visible.
What’s Next?
The final will pit Vasco against the winner of Corinthians vs. Cruzeiro. The first leg kicks off Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the home stadium of the semifinal winner. The return leg will be held at Maracanã Stadium—the same ground where Fluminense’s dreams were shattered. For Vasco, this isn’t just about silverware. It’s about legacy. About proving they’re still Rio’s most resilient club.Behind the Scenes
Broadcast coverage was handled by Tupi Esportes, with commentary by José Carlos Araújo and analysis by Dé Aranha. Vasco TV aired post-match interviews where Diniz simply said: “We don’t play for headlines. We play for our fans.” Rayan, when asked about the ‘C’ gesture, replied: “It’s not about them. It’s about us. And we’ve earned the right to speak for ourselves.”Frequently Asked Questions
How did Vasco da Gama qualify for the Copa do Brasil final despite losing the second leg?
Vasco won the first leg 2-1, giving them a 2-1 aggregate lead before the second leg. Fluminense’s 1-0 win in the return leg tied the aggregate at 2-2, forcing penalties. Since Vasco scored more away goals in the first leg (two) than Fluminense did in the second leg (one), the away goals rule applied in earlier rounds—but in 2025, the CBF eliminated it. Penalties were the only decider. Vasco converted all four of their attempts, while Fluminense missed one.
Why is the ‘C’ gesture so offensive to Fluminense fans?
The letter ‘C’ refers to Fluminense’s 1999 relegation to Série C—the only time in their 120-year history they’ve dropped below Brazil’s top two divisions. For Vasco fans, it’s a symbolic reminder of their rival’s lowest point. Fluminense fans consider it a deep insult, especially when used by a club that has historically been their equal in prestige. The gesture isn’t just taunting—it’s historical warfare.
What does qualifying for the Copa do Brasil final mean for Vasco’s 2026 season?
Winning the Copa do Brasil guarantees a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious club competition. Even if Vasco finishes outside the top six in the Brasileirão, they’ll still qualify. This could mean a lucrative run in continental football, with potential revenue exceeding $2.3 million from broadcasting and sponsorships alone. It also boosts recruitment—top players want to compete in Libertadores.
Is this Vasco’s first penalty shootout win over Fluminense?
No. The two teams have met in three penalty shootouts since 2000, with Vasco winning two. Their most famous came in the 2011 Copa do Brasil semifinal, where Vasco advanced 5-4 on pens after a 1-1 draw. This 2025 win marks their fourth shootout victory in the last 18 months across all competitions, making them the most successful team in Brazil in sudden-death kicks during that period.
Who are the key players to watch in the final?
Rayan is the emotional heartbeat—scorer of the decisive goal in the first leg and penalty hero here. Léo Jardim is the silent assassin between the posts. Midfielder Thiago Mendes controlled the tempo in both legs. On the other side, whoever wins the Corinthians-Cruzeiro tie will likely feature stars like Endrick (Corinthians) or Deyverson (Cruzeiro), making the final a true clash of styles.
Why did Fluminense’s coach make such conservative substitutions in the second half?
Coach Luís Zubeldía didn’t make a single attacking substitution after the 60th minute, despite needing a goal. He brought on defensive midfielder Hércules to protect the lead, not to attack. Analysts say he feared a counterattack and prioritized avoiding a second goal over chasing one. It backfired. With no offensive threat, Vasco’s defense relaxed. The lack of urgency cost Fluminense the game psychologically as much as tactically.