Vasco secures a hard-fought draw against Atlético-PR.
The Rio de Janeiro team reacted in time and managed to overcome the 2-0 deficit established by the Paraná team in Curitiba. The result wasn't enough to regain the lead in the Brazilian Championship.
Vasco rallied late Thursday night at Arena da Baixada, securing a 2-2 draw against Atlético Paranaense in Curitiba after trailing 2-0. The result kept the Rio de Janeiro team in second place in the Brazilian Championship.
With just one point, Vasco missed the chance to regain first place in the standings. The team equaled the 51 points of the leader Corinthians, but remained in second place due to having fewer wins (15 against 14). "It was a very valuable point," celebrated Elton, who scored both of Vasco's goals.
Atlético, on the other hand, saw its situation become even more complicated. With only 28 points, the home team remained in 18th place, within the relegation zone, and missed the opportunity to close the gap with the teams outside the relegation zone.
With superior technical quality, Vasco, as soon as the game began, sought to secure control of the midfield, with good marking and a coordinated attack, leaving Atlético with the option of attempting counter-attacks, especially exploiting the flanks. And it was in this way that the home team scored the first goal in the 15th minute. The ball went from one sideline to the other and, from Wagner Diniz's cross, Paulo Baier converted.
The goal spurred Atlético to grow on the field. Following that, the home team created another good scoring opportunity. Guerrón and Morro Garcia found themselves unmarked in front of the goalkeeper, but Guerrón shot wide. At 23 minutes, Wagner Diniz crossed again and the Colombian striker headed in the second goal. Deflated, Vasco abandoned their tactical formation and began to make easy mistakes, especially in their defense.
Atlético returned strongly in the second half and created two opportunities. But soon the team preferred to hold onto the result and invited Vasco into their area. The pressure paid off in the 20th minute, when a cross found Elton unmarked to reduce the deficit. Vasco's pressure continued and it was Atlético's defenders' turn to start making mistakes, allowing the equalizer in the 35th minute, again through Elton.
In the next round, Vasco will host struggling Atlético Mineiro at São Januário on Sunday, the same day that Atlético-PR will visit Botafogo at Engenhão.