Vasco lost to Nova Iguaçu 1-0, this Sunday (17), in a packed Maracanã, and is eliminated from the 2024 Carioca Championship. Laranjão will play the first final in its history, against Flamengo.
It is the first time that a lesser team has reached the Cariocão final since 2006, when Madureira was in the final but lost to Botafogo.
Nova Iguaçu’s goal was scored by Bill, in a counterattack in the 29th minute of the second half. As they needed the victory, Vasco ended up giving space for their opponent to counterattack.
After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, also at Maracanã, Nova Iguaçu qualifies with an aggregate score of 2-1. The finals against Flamengo will be on March 31st and April 7th.
History 18 years later
18 years ago, the Carioca Championship did not have two representatives from the state’s big four. The last time this happened was in 2006, when Madureira was defeated in the decision by Botafogo.
Nova Iguaçu faces Flamengo at a disadvantage this time. Rubro-Negro is the one playing for two equal results, as they had a better campaign in the first phase.
Tension and balance
At a disadvantage in the match, Vasco entered the field needing to win. With the Maracanã crowded, the team tried to exert pressure in the first minutes, but the strong heat prevented the dynamism of the match.
Little by little, Nova Iguaçu entered the game and progressed as they had the advantage of drawing to advance. The few chances created in the first 30 minutes showed total balance in the game.
The goalkeepers did little work and the clock started to become Vasco’s enemy, increasing the tension surrounding the duel.
Little initial inspiration
Vasco sought victory only on the basis of abafa. The team was not very creative throughout the first half and the best chance was in individual play.
Galdames almost scored a beautiful goal for Vasco, after a shot from outside the area, saved by Fabrício. On the other side, Nova Iguaçu bet on crosses and faced danger with a wrong exit from Leo Jardim.
Vasco despair
With the clock working against it, the despair in Vasco and the fans increased every minute. At certain moments, the support from the stands turned into silence.
When he was replaced, Praxedes left the field heavily booed by the Vasco voices. With each attack, the tension increased even more at Maracanã.
Everything got worse when Yuri Elino scored a penalty from Lucas Piton. VAR soon called and the referee backed down. The ball touched the number 6’s rib and not his arm as the referee had pointed out. A moment of relief for the fans.
Historic!
What’s bad can always get worse. And it got worse. In a quick ball from goalkeeper Fabrício, Yago found Carlinhos, who only cushioned it for Bill to dominate and beat Léo Jardim with no chance. The nightmare seemed to have no end: 1-0 for Nova Iguaçu, 29 minutes into the second half.
Vasco pressed after the goal, created chances, but it wasn’t enough. Ramón Díaz’s promise was broken. Cruzmaltino will not play in the Carioca final, as he promised.
A sun for each
The drop in dynamics in the confrontation has one culprit: the heat in Rio de Janeiro. With the duel scheduled for 4pm (Brasília time), the thermometer reached around 60 degrees on the Maracanã lawn.
In the first stage alone, two technical stops by the referee were necessary for the players to hydrate. In the second half, another technical stoppage.
Nova Iguaçu 1×0 Vasco
New Iguaçu: Fabricio; Yan (Cayo Tenório), Gabriel Pinheiro, Sérgio Raphael and Maicon; Igor Guilherme (Ronald), Albert, Yago (João Victor) and Bill (Sidney); Xandinho (Alegria) and Carlinhos. Coach: Carlos Vítor.
Vasco: Leo Jardim; Rojas (David), João Victor, Léo and Lucas Piton; Medel, Galdames (Paulo Henrique), Praxedes (Sforza) and Payet; Adson (Clayton) and Vegetti. Coach: Ramón Díaz.
Goals: Bill (29 minutes into the second half) for Nova Iguaçu.
Yellow card: Xandinho, Carlinhos and Sidney (NIG); Payet, Rossi, Medel and Paulo Henrique (VAS).
Red card: None.
Reason: Second game of the Carioca Championship semi-final.
Local: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro.
Date and time: March 17, 2024, at 4 pm (Brasília time).
Income and audience: R$ 3,611,055.00/60,429 gifts.
Referee: Yuri Elino Ferreira of the Cruz.
Assistants: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique and Wallace Muller Barros.
Video referee: Rodrigo Carvalhães de Miranda.
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This content was originally created in Itatiaia.
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