Vasco beats Fluminense in the Brazilian Championship with refereeing controversy

Vasco beat Fluminense 2-0 this Saturday (10) in a game valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. At the Nilton Santos Stadium, Pablo Vegetti and Victor Luis scored the goals for Cruzmaltina’s victory.

Vasco’s first goal, however, was controversially refereed. After a corner kick, the ball fell to Vegetti, who sent it into the net. However, Fluminense players complained that Léo Pelé and Vegetti had touched the ball with their hands. Referee Anderson Daronco decided, even after a review in the VAR booth, that it was not intentional. The delay in confirming the goal resulted in 10 minutes of stoppage time in the first half.

The victory was important for Vasco. Despite remaining in 11th place, Rafael Paiva’s team reached 27 points, six more than the first team in the relegation zone, Corinthians. Timão drew with Red Bull Bragantino also this Saturday (10) and reached 21 points. A result that was also bad for Fluminense. With the defeat and Corinthians’ draw, Tricolor stopped at 20 points and fell to 18th place.

The game

Vasco started the game with more possession, but were unable to convert their dominance into goal chances. Payet took a harmless shot from distance in the sixth minute. Fluminense were also unable to be objective at the start of the first half.

If the plays didn’t work, the set pieces did. In the 22nd minute, Payet took a corner kick, the ball hit Léo Pelé and Vegetti took advantage of the rebound to send it into the goal and open the scoring for Vasco. Fluminense players complained about a handball by the Vasco defender and, after more than three minutes, Daronco went to the VAR booth to review the play. After the review, the referee confirmed the goal for Cruzmaltino.

After the goal, Vasco continued to dominate the midfield, while Fluminense had difficulty playing the ball. Despite this, Cruzmaltino was unable to create clear goal chances, just like Fluminense, resulting in a lukewarm end to the first half.

Fluminense returned for the second half with more possession of the ball and wanting to propose the game more and finishing more than Vasco.

Despite Fluminense’s better form, Vasco scored again. In the 19th minute, João Victor stole the ball and crossed to Vegetti, who finished first time. Fábio made a great save, but on the rebound, Victor Luis extended the lead with a header. Fábio tried to save again, but the ball had already gone in.

End of Flu’s good streak

Despite being eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil by Juventude , Fluminense was in a good moment in the Brasileirão. Tricolor had gone five games without losing, having won the last four.

The team did not have its idol and captain Thiago Silva, who was spared by the coaching staff. Before the game, coach Mano Menezes said that the synthetic grass at Nilton Santos was also taken into consideration when making the decision.

Upcoming games

Vasco returns to the field only next Sunday (18), when it faces Criciúma in the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship .

Fluminense, on the other hand, will be playing in the Copa Libertadores . The Tricolor from Rio will face Grêmio on Tuesday (13) in the first leg of the round of 16 of the competition . Grêmio will be the home team for the match, which will be held at the Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba.