Video: Vasco's organized fans abandon São Januário in the middle of the game
The atmosphere at São Januário was marked by strong dissatisfaction among fans on Tuesday night (22). Even before the end of the 1-1 draw with Independiente del Valle, a significant part of Força Jovem, the club's main organized group, left the stadium in protest against the performance on the field.
Boos, shouts of disapproval and insults directed at President Pedrinho marked the atmosphere during the final minutes of the match.
After Vasco lost in the first half, Força Jovem (Vasco's organized fans) is leaving the stadium... 😬
— Planeta do Flamengo 🌎 (@fla_infos) July 23, 2025
Repudiation of the Black Spot
The following day, Mancha Negra published an official statement describing the elimination as "frustrating and devastating." The statement emphasized that the Copa Sudamericana exit wasn't just a sporting setback, but also reflected the club's "lack of planning, commitment, and respect for its magnificent history." The statement also states:
"The match against Independiente del Valle, which should have been a milestone in overcoming difficulties, was marked by a disorganized attitude, basic defensive errors and an inefficient attack."
Trajectory in the competition
The elimination was sealed after a draw at home, but Vasco had already been thrashed 4-0 in the first leg, played in Quito. With the advantage, the Ecuadorians simply had to manage the result in Rio de Janeiro.
Despite pressing early in the match, the Rio de Janeiro team was unable to open the scoring. In their only effective attack of the first half, the visitors found the net through Spinelli, following a Mercado free kick. The equalizer came only in the second half, with a Pablo Vegetti header.
Effort without result
Goalkeeper Guido Villar played a decisive role in the match, preventing at least three clear chances for the opponent. Vasco coach Fernando Diniz lamented the situation and pointed to structural factors that hindered the team's comeback.
"Signing is difficult in Vasco's situation. We lost Lucas Piton, Coutinho, and GB, who had come on well. So we're at a point where we need to come together and work harder to get him through," the coach declared.
Income context
The elimination extended the team's poor streak since the 30-day break caused by the Club World Cup. Since then, they've played four matches, with two draws and two losses. Diniz acknowledged the drop in performance after the victory over São Paulo, but denied that the squad lacks effort:
"These things we like to talk about and the fans want, that's happening, but the ball hasn't gone in. I really believe that with persistence it will start to go in."
Upcoming commitments
Eliminated from the continental competition, the Rio de Janeiro club now turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship. The next game will be against Internacional, on Sunday (27), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Beira-Rio. Then, it faces CSA , for the Copa do Brasil, on Tuesday (30), at 7 pm.
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