Vasco da Gama Edges Volta Redonda in Penalty Shootout to Reach Campeonato Carioca 2026 Semifinals
Vasco da Gama defeated Volta Redonda on penalties after a 1-1 draw to secure a semifinal spot in the 2026 Campeonato Carioca.
- • Vasco advanced to the semifinals after a 5-3 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw with Volta Redonda.
- • Ygor Catatau scored early for Volta Redonda, while Spinelli equalized for Vasco in the second half.
- • Vasco’s Phillipe Coutinho was substituted at halftime due to poor performance amid fan criticism.
- • Vasco’s next match will be against the winner of Fluminense vs. Bangu in the semifinals.
Key details
In a tense quarterfinal match of the Campeonato Carioca 2026 played at São Januário stadium on February 14, Vasco da Gama secured a 5-3 victory on penalties against Volta Redonda after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time. This win guarantees Vasco a spot in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Fluminense versus Bangu clash scheduled for February 16 at Maracanã Stadium.
Volta Redonda took an early lead thanks to Ygor Catatau's goal in the 27th minute, which intensified pressure on Vasco and led to boos from their home crowd. Vasco struggled notably in the first half, culminating in Phillipe Coutinho being substituted at halftime due to poor performance, replaced by newcomer Rojas. The tide turned in the second half when Spinelli, who came on as a substitute, scored a crucial equalizer with a header in the 66th minute following a cross from Cuesta.
Despite Vasco's aggressive attempts to secure a winning goal, including a notable chance by Andrés Gómez, the match remained deadlocked until the shootout. During the penalties, Vasco's players—Rojas, Tchê Tchê, Lucas Adell, Spinelli, and Wagninho (or David and Puma Rodríguez, per the differing sources)—all converted their spot kicks successfully. Meanwhile, Marquinhos from Volta Redonda missed his penalty, effectively sealing Vasco's advancement. Puma Rodríguez took the decisive penalty that clinched the win for Vasco.
The victory comes amid notable individual performances, particularly from Volta Redonda's goalkeeper Felipe Avelino, who made several key saves during the match. Referee Jodis Nascimento de Souza officiated the game with assistance from Hugo Filemon Soares Pinto and Wallace Muller Barros Santos.
With this semifinal berth, Vasco looks ahead to their next Brasileirão fixture against Santos at Vila Belmiro scheduled for Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Volta Redonda will focus on their campaigns in the Série C of the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Rio.
This dramatic win underscores Vasco's resilience under pressure, overcoming early setbacks and criticism from their own fans to continue their pursuit of the 2026 Campeonato Carioca title.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (4)
Source comparison
Match date
Sources report different dates for the match between Vasco and Volta Redonda.
estadao.com.br
"The knockout stage of the 2026 Campeonato Carioca resumes on February 14, 2026."
cnnbrasil.com.br
"On Saturday, March 14, 2026, Vasco managed to secure a victory against Volta Redonda in a penalty shootout."
Why this matters: One source states the match occurred on February 14, 2026, while another claims it took place on March 14, 2026. This discrepancy affects the timeline of events leading to Vasco's advancement in the tournament.