Vasco won on Friday its first title in the Brazilian U-20 Championship by defeating Palmeiras 2-0 at Nubank Parque, overturning the aggregate score from 1-0 in favor of the green-and-white team. The first leg had ended with a Palmeiras victory by 1-0, goal by Erick Belé, at São Januário. The second leg was decided by striker Andrey Fernandes, who netted twice and secured the Cruz-Maltino title in front of 29,327 fans, the majority of whom were Palmeiras supporters.
Vasco's campaign in the tournament was marked by resilience. In the quarterfinals, the team defeated Cruzeiro 2-0 after having lost the first leg by a minimal score. In the semifinals, Cruz-Maltino lost the first match to Santos 2-0, tied the second match, but advanced on penalties.
In the decisive match, Palmeiras had the advantage of a draw after confirming their minimal victory in the first leg, but suffered from Vasco's early pressure. The Cruz-Maltino team was not intimidated by the opposing fans' support and managed to press Palmeiras' ball circulation from the start, creating opportunities that resulted in Andrey Fernandes' two goals.
