Vasco defeated Athletico-PR 1-0 on Sunday in the final match of the 15th round of the Brasileirão, played at São Januário. Thiago Mendes scored the only goal for the Rio de Janeiro side, assisted by Puma Rodríguez.
With the victory, Vasco now has 20 points and jumped to 8th place in the standings. Athletico, with 23 points, remains in 5th. Both teams have a decisive Copa do Brasil clash midweek: Vasco faces Paysandu, while Athletico takes on Atlético-GO.
**Match Summary**
The game started fiercely. Within the first five minutes, Spinelli headed dangerously, forcing Santos to make a save at the goal line, with claims the ball had crossed. Shortly after, Cuesta hit the post from a corner. Tensions flared between Portilla and Thiago Mendes, earning both yellow cards. Athletico responded with a cross-shot from João Cruz, saved by Léo Jardim.
Vasco broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. A well-worked move saw Thiago Mendes burst into the box and finish calmly past Santos. In the second half, Athletico almost equalized when Luiz Gustavo struck the post from outside the area.
**Match Facts**
– **Goal:** Thiago Mendes (36′ 1st half)
– **Yellow cards:** Thiago Mendes, Johan Rojas, Robert Renan, Andrés Gomez (VAS); Portilla (CAP)
– **Referee:** Raphael Claus
**Lineups**
**Vasco:** Léo Jardim, Puma Rodríguez, Cuesta, Robert Renan, Lucas Piton (Lucas Freitas), Hugo Moura, Thiago Mendes, Rojas (Tchê Tchê), Adson (Nuno Moreira), Andrés Gomez (Ramón Rique), Spinelli (Brenner). Coach: Renato Gaúcho.
**Athletico:** Santos, Terán (Léo Derik), Aguirre, Arthur Dias, Gilberto, Portilla, Luiz Gustavo (Felipinho), João Cruz (Zapelli), Mendoza, Bruninho (Felipe Chiqueti), Renan Peixoto (Isaac). Coach: Odair Hellmann.