Matchday 25 of the 2026 Brasileirão kicked off this Saturday with some serious drama, and let me tell you, Vasco made the biggest splash, officially climbing out of the relegation zone. The weekend started with three intense matches that really shook things up for teams juggling both league and Copa do Brasil commitments, proving early season form is everything when the pressure is on.
Battle Scars and Broken Streaks
First up, Atlético-MG and Vitória faced off in Belo Horizonte in an entertaining clash. With both sides deep in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, you knew there would be some tired legs, and it showed. Galo, however, capitalized on Vitória’s defensive mistakes, snagging a crucial 2-1 win that propelled them further up the table. They took advantage of every opening, proving that sometimes, simply being opportunistic is all you need.
Later, at MorumBIS, São Paulo absolutely went for it. Can you believe it? Four months! That’s how long they’d gone without a single Brasileirão win. But they put an end to that agonizing streak, beating RB Bragantino 2-1. Coach Dorival Júnior himself hadn’t beaten a Brazilian team in six months, including his final days with Corinthians. Talk about breaking a drought when it truly matters for team morale.
Vasco’s Big Move and the Shifting Table
But the real head-turner? Vasco. They had been battling an eight-match winless streak in the Brasileirão, stretching all the way back to their 1-0 win over Athletico-PR on May 10. You gotta wonder what was going through their heads. But they showed up against Cruzeiro at São Januário and absolutely dominated, walking away with a massive 3-1 victory. This wasn’t just any win for Gigante da Colina. After thrashing Olimpia 4-1 in the Copa Sudamericana and beating Vitória 1-0 in the Copa do Brasil, this was Portuguese coach Pedro Emanuel’s first Brasileirão victory. The fans knew what was up too, bringing a banner in tribute to Vasco SAF’s possible new owner, showing the belief is back. Cruzeiro, also in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, fielded a reserve side, while Vasco went almost full strength, and it clearly paid off.
All those results led to the main event: a massive shift in the Brasileirão table. Vasco didn’t just move out of second-to-last place; they climbed entirely out of the relegation zone. That’s huge! But the flip side? Internacional “took over” Cruz-Maltino’s spot, dropping into the bottom four. That’s a brutal blow for them, right when the season pressure is ramping up.
What’s Next for the League?
The action doesn’t stop, with Sunday and Monday packed with more games that could further reshape the table. We’ve got Athletico-PR vs Fluminense, Flamengo vs Botafogo, Corinthians vs Santos, Mirassol vs Palmeiras, Grêmio vs Chapecoense, Bahia vs Internacional, and Remo vs Coritiba all still to play. Every single one of these matches holds massive stakes, especially with Internacional now fighting to escape the Z-4. Can they bounce back fast, or will Vasco’s escape be the start of a new, desperate fight for survival for others? You better believe we’ll be watching every kick.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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