Thiago Mendes leads Vasco DA Gama’s late 2-1 comeback

Vasco DA Gama overturn Gremio lead

Vasco DA Gama defeated Gremio 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday, September 12, recovering from a half-time deficit to take all three points in Regular Season - 27. Gremio led through Mathias Villasanti’s 39th-minute goal, but Thiago Mendes equalised in the 76th minute before Facundo Colidio completed the turnaround four minutes later. The result was Vasco DA Gama’s win, while Gremio suffered another defeat.

Villasanti puts Gremio ahead

The first half produced one goal and three yellow cards. Pedro Gabriel was booked for Gremio in the seventh minute, followed by Tchê Tchê’s caution for Vasco DA Gama in the 26th minute. Wallace Gomes da Silva Santos then received a yellow card six minutes later, before Cuiabano was booked in the 45th minute.

Villasanti broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a normal goal, sending Gremio into the interval 1-0 ahead. Gremio’s lead came despite Vasco DA Gama recording more shots inside the box across the match, with the visitors finishing on 12 compared with Gremio’s seven.

Late goals change the result

Vasco DA Gama made two changes in the 55th minute, bringing on Bruno Duarte Da Silva for Adson and Jose Luis Rodriguez for Paulo Henrique. Gremio responded with Juan Nardoni replacing Jovane Cabral in the 61st minute, while José Enamorado came on for Tetê in the 71st minute. Vasco DA Gama also replaced Tchê Tchê with Alan Lescano and Carlos Cuesta with Jair in the 73rd minute.

The substitutions preceded a decisive late spell. Thiago Mendes levelled the match in the 76th minute, and Colidio put Vasco DA Gama in front at 80 minutes. Bruno Duarte Da Silva supplied the assist for Colidio’s goal. Robert Renan and Diego Caito Barcellos Oliveira dos Santos were booked in the second half, completing three yellow cards for each side. There were no red cards.

Numbers show a closely balanced contest

Gremio had a narrow edge in possession at 51%, with Vasco DA Gama on 49%, and completed 395 accurate passes to the visitors’ 387. Vasco DA Gama led the overall shot count 17-14 and produced more corners, five to three, while both teams registered five shots on goal. Gremio had four goalkeeper saves and Vasco DA Gama had three, with Léo Jardim making four saves according to the performance data.

Thiago Mendes was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating after playing all 90 minutes. His equaliser was supported by three tackles and one shot on target. Colidio also completed the comeback with a 7.9 rating, two shots on target and two key passes.

League positions after the comeback

Gremio remain 15th in Serie A with 28 points from 25 games, a record of seven wins, seven draws and 11 losses, and a -6 goal difference. Vasco DA Gama stay 17th with 25 points from 25 matches after six wins, seven draws and 12 losses, with a -13 goal difference. The result adds a win to Vasco DA Gama’s record and a loss to Gremio’s latest result, following their inconsistent pre-match sequences.