Vasco da Gama concluded its 2026 schedule of classic matches with a decisive 4-1 defeat to Flamengo on Thursday at the Estádio Nilton Santos. This result capped a season featuring 12 confrontations against the three major Rio de Janeiro rivals, resulting in four wins, three draws, and five losses for the Alvinegro, representing a 41.6% success rate.
The balance sheet against Flamengo remains negative, with this heavy loss worsening an already poor record. Prior to this match, Vasco had lost to their biggest rival in the Campeonato Carioca and drawn in the first half of the Brasileirão. The club has now gone 11 years without defeating Flamengo in Brazil's top-tier league. Across all competitions, Vasco has not beaten Flamengo since March 2023, when they secured a 1-0 victory in the Carioca Championship thanks to a goal by Puma Rodríguez.
The narrative differs regarding Botafogo and Fluminense, against whom Vasco achieved better results. In six matches against Fluminense, the record stands at two wins, two draws, and two losses. Notably, Vasco eliminated Fluminense in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Under coach Pedro Emanuel, the team advanced after a 0-0 draw in the first leg and a 3-1 victory in the return match, both played at Maracanã. In the Brasileirão, each side secured one win: Vasco won 3-2 in the first half of the season, while Fluminense took the final encounter 1-0.
Against Botafogo, Vasco recorded two wins and one loss across three matches this season. The team defeated their rival 2-0 in the sole Carioca Championship meeting and achieved a comeback victory with a 2-1 scoreline at Nilton Santos during the second half of the Brasileirão. Conversely, Botafogo won the first-half Brasileirão clash 2-1 at São Januário.
Sources: Globo Esporte.