With goals from Felipe Azevedo, Hugo and Henrique, Sport Recife secured a 3-0 away win at a rapidly disintegrating Vasco da Gama side to keep their hopes of survival alive.
The pattern of the early game was set: Vasco pushed hard with their three man forward-line but it was Sport who were more dangerous on the counter and on 15 minutes should have taken the lead as Felipe Azevedo rounded goalkeeper Fernando Prass but found the angle against him.
On the half-hour mark, they almost opened the scoring once more as Cicinho smashed a shot narrowly over the crossbar, but ten minutes later the goal finally arrived as Hugo picked out Felipe Azevedo with a delightful through ball and the midfielder made no mistake second time around.
Vasco made two early changes in an attempt to alter the pattern of the game but, despite strengthening the midfield, once more found their defence easily over-run.
Within ten minutes of the restart, the lead was doubled. The lively Felipe Azevedo crossed low from the right to find Gilberto whose clever back-heel presented Hugo with a fine opportunity that he was quick to take with precision.
Hugo almost added another shortly after, but was denied by Fernando Prass from just inside the area. At the other end, Saulo was called upon also to make a sharp save from midfielder Wendel and preserve his side’s lead.
With just moments to go, the rout was complete. Reinaldo was the supplier on this occasion, making light work of beating Pipico on the flank, before crossing for Henrique to add the icing to the cake on a convincing 3-0 away victory.
VASCO: Fernando Prass; Auremir (Fellipe Bastos 54′), Douglas, Renato Silva, William Matheus (Felipe 46′); Nilton, Wendel, Juninho; Eder Luis (Pipico 61′), Tenório, Alecsandro. Coach: Marcelo Oliveira
SPORT: Saulo; Cicinho (Renato 76′), Aílson, Diego Ivo, Reinaldo; Toby, Rithely, Hugo; Gilsinho, Felipe Azevedo (Henrique 81′), Gilberto (Moacir 60′). Coach: Sérgio Guedes
