Vasco vs Cruzeiro: where to watch live, kickoff and lineups
Vasco da Gama hosts Cruzeiro on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 9:20 p.m. Brasília time at São Januário in Rio de Janeiro for Brasileirão Série A Round 25. The vasco gama cruzeiro match airs live on Premiere, Record, and Cazé TV, with ge offering real-time coverage for fans tracking lineups and stakes. Both clubs also face Copa do Brasil quarterfinals within days, so rotation and yellow-card risk could decide how each side approaches this Round 25 clash.
Key Takeaways
- Kickoff is 9:20 p.m. Brasília time at São Januário; live TV on Premiere, Record, and Cazé TV.
- Vasco sits 19th with 23 points and needs a win to climb out of the relegation zone; Cruzeiro is fifth with 39 points and chasing the top four.
- Robert Renan is suspended for Vasco; Cruzeiro lists five players on yellow-card alert and may rotate ahead of Atlético-MG.
- Referee Fernando Salles Nascimento Filho leads the officiating crew, with Heber Roberto Lopes on VAR.
- VascoTV journalist Alex Calheiros documented pre-match preparations at São Januário before kickoff.
São Januário sits in one of Rio de Janeiro's most storied football neighborhoods—a setting that draws the same kind of local pride often tied to landmark homes in the city. For broader lifestyle coverage, see our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes hub.
Where Can You Watch Vasco vs Cruzeiro Live?
Brazilian viewers can follow the match on Premiere, Record, and Cazé TV, according to ge. The outlet also streams minute-by-minute updates through its Tempo Real feature for fans who want live text and stats without a television feed.
The scheduling keeps the clash in prime Saturday-night viewing across Brazil, with the 9:20 p.m. Brasília kickoff confirmed for Round 25 of the 2026 Brasileirão campaign.
Why Does This Vasco vs Cruzeiro Match Matter?
Vasco enters in survival mode. The club is 19th with 23 points from 23 matches and must win to breathe in the table, ge reports. Pedro Emanuel is still seeking his first Brasileirão victory, though the team arrives confident after beating Vitória 1–0 at São Januário in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinal first leg.
Cruzeiro arrives on a four-match winning streak in the league, including a victory over Flamengo, and sits fifth with 39 points—two behind fourth-place Fluminense. A win could lift Artur Jorge's side into the G-4 if Fluminense drops points elsewhere, Terra notes.
Both managers juggle domestic league pressure with Copa do Brasil commitments. Cruzeiro drew 1–1 with Atlético-MG in the quarterfinal first leg and faces the return leg three days after visiting São Januário.
What Are the Probable Lineups and Absences?
Vasco (Pedro Emanuel): Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Cuesta, Lucas Freitas, Cuiabano; Sosa, Tchê Tchê, Thiago Mendes; Andrés Gómez, Colidio, Adson. Robert Renan is suspended after playing every match under Pedro Emanuel; Lucas Freitas should replace him. Brenner, Jair, and Mateus Carvalho are injured. Thiago Mendes and Tchê Tchê are on yellow-card alert.
Cruzeiro (Artur Jorge): Otávio; William, João Marcelo, Jonathan Jesus or Villalba, Gabriel Rojas; Zé Lucas, Matheus Henrique, Lucas Silva or Matheus Pereira; Kaique Kenji, João Costa, Néiser Villarreal. Fabrício Bruno is suspended; Bruno Rodrigues, Gabriel Pec, and Sinisterra are injured. Otávio, Kauã Moraes, Villalba, Lucas Silva, and Wesley all carry second yellow-card risk, per Terra.
Artur Jorge may rotate heavily because Atlético-MG awaits on Tuesday. Bruno Rodrigues is out after facial and rib fractures from the Mineirão clash, and Jonathan Jesus is doubtful with a shoulder injury.
What Is the Atmosphere Like at São Januário?
Hours before kickoff, VascoTV journalist Alex Calheiros shared scenes from São Januário as staff and supporters prepared for the visit of Cruzeiro, SuperVasco reported. The coverage highlighted the buildup inside the historic ground where Vasco recently celebrated a Copa do Brasil win over Vitória.
Referee Fernando Salles Nascimento Filho will officiate, assisted by Eduardo Goncalves da Cruz and Acacio Menezes Leao, with Murilo Tarrega Victor as fourth official and Heber Roberto Lopes on VAR, ge confirmed.