Vasco da Gama will host Paysandu at São Januário on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil fifth round. The Cruz-Maltino carried a 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg at Mangueirão, thanks to a brace from Claudio Spinelli, and can afford to lose by a single goal to advance to the round of 16. Paysandu, meanwhile, must win by at least three goals to progress in regulation time; a two-goal victory would force a penalty shootout.
**Match Analysis**
The comfortable advantage built in Belém allows Vasco to approach the return leg with composure. In the first game, Spinelli struck twice in the second half off assists from Andrés Gómez and Johan Rojas, while Renato Gaúcho’s side also saw a goal from Nuno Moreira disallowed by VAR. With the two-goal cushion, Vasco can manage the tempo without taking unnecessary risks.
Recent form further boosts confidence. Vasco defeated Athletico-PR 1-0 last Sunday, reaching 20 points in the Brasileirão, and also leads Group G of the Copa Sudamericana after strong performances against Olimpia and Audax Italiano. This positive run may allow some squad rotation without jeopardizing the Copa do Brasil advantage.
Paysandu arrives riding high after beating Anápolis 2-1 at Curuzu to maintain their unbeaten lead in Série C. Júnior Rocha’s side has enjoyed a consistent season, winning the Pará state title and eliminating Portuguesa-RJ and Portuguesa-SP in the Copa do Brasil. Juninho’s decisive goal against Anápolis epitomized the team’s competitive spirit in 2026.
Despite their good form, the challenge at São Januário is a different magnitude. Papão needs a three-goal margin to advance in regulation—something they failed to threaten in the first leg, when they controlled parts of the first half and hit the crossbar through Ítalo but never found the net. Technical and divisional differences weigh heavily in such a knockout tie, especially with Vasco able to dictate the pace in front of their own fans.
**Head-to-Head Record**
Vasco and Paysandu have met 21 times, with Vasco holding the edge: 11 wins, two draws, and eight victories for Papão. At São Januário, Vasco has won four of seven matches, but Paysandu’s three wins at the venue are notable for a visitor from another region.
Before this Copa do Brasil tie, the last encounter between the clubs was in October 2016, in Série B, when Paysandu thrashed Vasco 3-1 at Mangueirão. That season, Papão also won 2-0 at São Januário. Vasco ended that drought with the 2-0 first-leg victory in this competition, their first triumph over Paysandu since November 2005. This is the first time they face each other in the Copa do Brasil; all prior meetings were in the Brasileirão (Série A and B).
**Team News**
Vasco arrives with almost a full squad at Renato Gaúcho’s disposal. The only confirmed absentees are holding midfielders Jair, still recovering from ACL surgery, and Mateus Carvalho, who suffered a serious left knee injury. Cuiabano, who started the first leg in Belém, remains a doubt after sustaining edema.
