Vasco da Gama draws 2-2 with Independiente Medellín in Copa Sudamericana playoff
On 22 July 2026, Vasco da Gama played the first‑leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 at the Estádio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín. The match ended 2‑2. John Montaño scored both goals for Independiente Medellín, while Joaquín Varela recorded an own‑goal for Vasco and Spinelli scored the equaliser for the Brazilian side. The game was played behind closed doors after CONMEBOL sanctioned the Colombian club for fan disturbances in a previous Libertadores fixture. The teams will meet again on 29 July at São Januário in Rio de Janeiro; the winner will face Olimpia of Paraguay in the next round.
Vasco, under coach Pedro Emanuel, entered the tie after a recent domestic loss and remain in the Brazilian league’s relegation zone, while Independiente Medellín came from a third‑place finish in their Libertadores group. Both sides saw limited chances despite periods of possession, and the aggregate score will decide who advances.