- Vasco da Gama claimed an unforgettable victory at 'La Bombonera', their first ever against Boca Juniors, and will take an advantage into the second leg of the Semi-finals.
- Adson's header has earned its place in the club's history, evoking memories of their CONMEBOL Libertadores triumph in 1998.
Vasco da Gama supporters have never forgotten 22 July 1998 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Even today, scarves commemorating that remarkable achievement can still be seen in the stands at 'La Bombonera', a reminder of a campaign that would culminate in the club's only CONMEBOL Libertadores title. Twenty-eight years later, away to another Argentine giant in the Semi-finals of a continental competition, Vasco produced another moment for the history books.
Vasco had reached the Semi-finals of the 1998 CONMEBOL Libertadores, where they faced River Plate. In the first leg at the Estádio São Januário, Osmar Donizete scored the only goal just ten minutes into the match. In the return leg, Juan Pablo Sorín levelled the tie in the 25th minute as River dominated proceedings. Then, with 34 minutes gone in the second half, Juninho Pernambucano struck an unstoppable free-kick into the top-right corner.
That thunderous strike sealed Vasco's place in the Final, where they went on to claim their first — and, to date, only — CONMEBOL Libertadores title. The Gigante da Colina defeated Barcelona of Guayaquil in both legs, lifting the trophy after a 2-0 home victory in the first leg and a 2-1 win in the return match at the Estadio Monumental. The 4-1 aggregate triumph, featuring two goals apiece from Luizão and Donizete, sparked celebrations for Antônio Lopes' side.
Looking to re-establish themselves on the continental stage, Vasco da Gama travelled to 'La Bombonera' for the opening leg of their CONMEBOL Sudamericana Semi-final against Boca Juniors, an opponent they had never previously beaten. And just as Juninho Pernambucano's strike had done in 1998, this time it was Adson's header that earned its place in the club's history.
The significance of the victory becomes even clearer when looking back at the history of 'La Bombonera'. Before Vasco's visit, only seven Brazilian teams had managed to defeat Boca Juniors at their home ground in official CONMEBOL competitions: Santos (1963), Cruzeiro (1994), São Paulo (1995), Paysandu (2003), Internacional (2008 and 2020), Fluminense (2012) and Palmeiras (2018). Vasco became the eighth Brazilian club to achieve the feat, inflicting Boca's ninth home defeat against opposition from Brazil.
But another statistic puts the achievement into even sharper perspective. Vasco are only the second Brazilian club to beat Boca at 'La Bombonera' in a CONMEBOL competition Semi-final or Final. The only previous instance came courtesy of Pelé's Santos, who secured a 2-1 victory in Buenos Aires on 11 September 1963, in the decisive match of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, to claim their second consecutive continental title. Sixty-three years passed before another Brazilian club celebrated a victory at such a stage.
In 1998, it was Juninho Pernambucano's free-kick at the Monumental. In 2026, Adson's header at 'La Bombonera'. Two different goals, at two iconic Buenos Aires stadiums, for a club that once again experienced a night in Argentina destined to live long in its memory. The first chapter of that story ended with Vasco lifting the trophy of 'Eternal Glory'. The second is still being written: on 20 October, Pedro Emanuel's side will look to finish the job and secure their place in the Final of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.
