Vasco stun Palmeiras on Renato’s debut, top spot at risk

The Palmeiras lost to Vasco on Thursday night by 2 to 1 , in a comeback, in a match valid for the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship. Flaco López opened the scoring for Verdão , while Thiago Mendes and Cuiabano scored the goals for Vasco at Estádio São Januário, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

With this result, Palmeiras suffered their first defeat in the Brasileirão and could lose the lead in the round. With ten points, Abel Ferreira's team dropped to second place. Meanwhile, Vasco achieved their first victory in the competition in the debut of coach Renato Gaúcho and moved out of the last position. Now, the team from Rio has four points and occupies the 15th position.

⚫⚪ VASCO 2 X 1 PALMEIRAS 🟢⚪ 🏆 Co mpetition: Brazilian Championship (5th round) 🏟️ Ven ue: E stádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) 📅 Date : Ma rch 12, 2026 (Thursday) ⏰ Time : 7: 30 PM (Brasília time) 👥 Atten dance: x f ans 💰 Revenu e: R$ 🟨 Yellow cards: Tchê Tchê and Thiago Mendes (Vasco); Allan (Palmeiras) 🟥 Red card s: None

⚽ Flaco López, at 39′ of the 1st half (Palmeiras) ⚽ Thiago Mendes , at 17′ of the 2nd half (Vasco) ⚽ Cuiabano , at 27′ of the 2nd half (Vasco)

⚫⚪ Vasco Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Robert Renan, Saldivia, and Lucas Piton (Cuiabano); Hugo Moura (Barros), Thiago Mendes , and Tchê Tchê (Johan Rojas); Nuno Moreira (Adson), David (Spinelli), and Andrés Gómez. Coach : Renato Gaúcho

🟢⚪ Palmeiras

Carlos Miguel; Khellven (Giay), Gustavo Gómez, Bruno Fuchs, and Jefté (Arthur); Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Felipe Anderson (Allan), and Jhon Arias; Flaco López (Luighi) and Ramón Sosa (Lucas Evangelista). Coach : João Martins

Vasco and Palmeiras played a lukewarm first half, without major chances. The home team allowed Palmeiras to keep possession, but they couldn't break through the defense and barely troubled Vasco's defense. On the other hand, Renato Gaúcho's team advanced on counterattacks but also didn't challenge Carlos Miguel.

Verdão managed to take the lead at 39 minutes. Marlon Freitas received the ball on the right and made a good pass to Flaco López, who dribbled past Andrés Gómez and Lucas Piton, invaded the area, and struck with his left foot, scoring a great goal to put Palmeiras ahead. In stoppage time, Vasco posed a threat with a shot from Andrés Gómez inside the area, but he sent it weakly and wide.

At 11 minutes into the second half, Vasco had a good opportunity, Andrés Gómez advanced down the left, went to the end line, passed by Marlon Freitas and Khellven, and played it back. Tchê Tchê controlled it at the edge of the area and shot wide.

Vasco equalized at 17. The team from Rio recovered the ball in the attacking field with Thiago Mendes , who exchanged passes with David at the edge of the area. He received it back, set it up, and shot into Carlos Miguel's corner. The goal reignited Vasco , who almost scored a second at 20. Cuiabano received from Rojas, shot from the edge of the area, and forced the Palmeiras goalkeeper to make a good save.

Ten minutes after the first goal, Vasco completed the comeback. Cuiabano made a good play down the left, advanced with speed, passed to Paulo Henrique, and received it back in the middle of the area. He received it from PH and shot into Carlos Miguel's net to score the second goal for the team from Rio.

In stoppage time, Palmeiras almost secured the draw. Gustavo Gómez headed it down and left Allan face-to-face with Léo Jardim, who made the save and handed Verdão their first defeat in the Brasileirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.