Vasco da Gama and the Statistic That Puts Them Ahead of Boca Juniors and Closer to the Copa Sudamericana Final
Vasco da Gama hosts Boca Juniors in a decisive Copa Sudamericana semifinal. The first-leg victory and their strength at the Maracanã fuel Brazilian hopes, but one historical record could make all the difference.
Vasco da Gama hosts Boca Juniors at the Maracanã with a 1-0 aggregate lead and hopes of reaching another continental final. Adson's goal at La Bombonera put the Brazilian side in a favorable position, but it must still deliver in a high-stakes second leg.
The Cruzmaltino has two factors working in its favor: the support of its home crowd and a solid defensive record on home soil. However, one historical statistic has raised expectations around Vasco and helps explain why a place in the Copa Sudamericana final is within reach.
The Statistic Bringing Vasco da Gama Closer to the Final
According to Opta, Vasco da Gama advanced in five of the six continental ties in which it won the first leg away from home. That record boosts the Brazilian side's confidence ahead of its rematch with Boca Juniors, who must overturn the deficit to keep their Copa Sudamericana campaign alive.
Among those results are a 4-1 win over River Plate in Buenos Aires in the 2000 Copa Mercosur and a 3-1 victory against Deportes Concepción in Chile in the 2001 Copa Libertadores. Vasco also won the return legs in both ties. Its track record shows that the club knows how to turn an advantage earned on the road into qualification.
The Maracanã Is Another Advantage for Vasco da Gama
The Brazilian side can also draw confidence from its recent home form. According to Opta, Vasco has neither lost nor conceded a goal in its last five home matches in this edition of the Copa Sudamericana, recording four wins and one draw.
Vasco has also closed out two ties at home in Rio de Janeiro during this tournament with positive results: a 1-0 win over Independiente Medellín in the Round of 16 Playoffs and a 2-0 victory against Independiente Santa Fe in the quarterfinals. A draw against Boca Juniors would be enough to secure a place in the final.
Boca Juniors Can Still Change the Story
The statistics favor Vasco, but Boca Juniors has reasons to believe in a comeback. According to Opta, in the 2003 Copa Libertadores, the Argentine club lost the first leg of a tie against a Brazilian opponent before defeating Paysandú 4-2 in the return leg, on its way to winning the title.
For Vasco, Adson also arrives with an impressive individual milestone, having equaled Pablo Vegetti as the club's leading scorer in this edition of the Copa Sudamericana, with five goals. Meanwhile, head coach Pedro Emanuel has the opportunity to become the first Portuguese manager to reach a Copa Sudamericana final.
