São Paulo withstands Vasco's pressure, wins at São Januário and gets closer to the G-7 of the Brazilian Championship.

In a hard-fought match at São Januário, São Paulo prevailed over Vasco this Sunday, withstanding the pressure and winning 2-0 in the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship. Experience prevailed for the Tricolor side, who relied on goals from Lucas Moura and Luiz Gustavo to leave the capital of Rio de Janeiro with three points.

São Paulo didn't have a convincing performance in Rio, but they knew how to take advantage of Vasco's defensive lapses to leave the field with a victory. Even with less possession and fewer shots on goal, the Tricolor team was effective and found the goals in moments when they weren't playing their best game.

The second consecutive victory strengthens São Paulo's ambitions, leaving Vasco behind in the standings and getting closer to the G-7 (which could become G-8 depending on the Copa do Brasil champion). Hernán Crespo's team reaches 44 points and takes eighth place. Vasco's four-game winning streak ends, and they fall to ninth position with 42 points.

Unable to use Morumbi stadium this holiday season, which hosts musical concerts, São Paulo will play at Vila Belmiro in Santos in their match against Flamengo , scheduled for next Wednesday at 9:30 PM. On the same day, at 7:30 PM, Vasco will face Botafogo in a classic match at Nilton Santos stadium.

São Paulo started the match slightly worse than Vasco. The Vasco team created some opportunities and drew gasps from the fans with dangerous plays. Tapia asked for a penalty after a challenge in the area with Lucas Piton, but the referee waved play on.

Both teams maintained a high volume of attacking play, prioritizing fast breaks. Vasco had several opportunities, but couldn't capitalize. Their best chance came again with Rayan, who hit the post. Goalkeeper Rafael was also called into action a few times.

São Paulo created fewer chances, but they were also dangerous and saw Léo Jardim prevent a goal from Tapia. In the last play of the first half, during a corner kick, Sabino almost scored for São Paulo, but what caught attention was Arboleda being grabbed by Paulo Henrique inside the area. VAR recommended a review, and Wilton Pereira Sampaio awarded a penalty. Lucas Moura took the penalty accurately and put the Tricolor team ahead.

The unfavorable scoreline caused Vasco to return for the second half determined to corner São Paulo and relentlessly seek the equalizing goal. The visitors were limited to exploiting rare counter-attacks.

With more possession, Vasco tried to build plays in every way, but São Paulo's tight marking complicated their ambitions. At 28 minutes, São Paulo players claimed a penalty when Cuesta stretched out his arm and allegedly hindered Ferreirinha's progress in a play inside the area. The referee listened to information from VAR, but didn't award a penalty.

Unhappy with the score, Diniz brought on a Vasco attacker to crowd the São Paulo penalty area and try to exploit aerial balls. But the measure had no effect, and the home team stopped posing a threat to the São Paulo goal.

In the final stretch, Rigoni had a chance to seal the game, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but wasting it. If Rigoni lacked the skill to score, Luiz Gustavo, in the next play, at the 42nd minute, relied on the agility and precision of Ferreirinha, who, after a corner kick, got past the defense, entered the area and delivered a perfect cross for the midfielder to head in and give the final score to the match.

VASCO vs SÃO PAULO

• VASCO : Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Carlos Cuesta, Robert Renan and Lucas Piton (David); Tchê Tchê (GB), Barros (Matheus França) and Philippe Coutinho (Mateus Carvalho); Nuno Moreira (Vegetti), Rayan and Andrés Gomez. Coach : Fernando Diniz.
• São Paulo : Rafael; Alan Franco, Arboleda and Sabino; ​​Maílton (Ferraresi), Pablo Maia, Bobadilla (Alisson), Marcos Antônio (Luiz Gustavo) and Enzo Díaz; Lucas Moura (Rigoni) and Tapia (Ferreirinha). Coach : Hernán Crespo.
• GOALS : Lucas Moura, at 52 minutes of the 1st half; Luiz Gustavo, at 42 minutes of the 2nd half.
• REFEREE : Wilton Pereira Sampaio (DF).
• YELLOW CARDS : Paulo Henrique, Nuno Moreira, Enzo Díaz and Alan Franco.
• Attendance: 20,359 .
• INCOME : R$ 1,367,955.00.
• LOCATION : São Januário Stadium, Rio de Janeiro.