Cruzeiro vs Vasco da Gama — Brasileirão

**Cruzeiro 3-3 Vasco da Gama**

**Playing Style:** Cruzeiro dominated possession and created more opportunities, with 60% of ball possession and 20 total shots compared to Vasco da Gama’s 15. Their play was structured, with 462 passes and 88% accuracy, showing strong control in the opposition half (259 passes). Vasco da Gama, while less dominant in possession, was more direct, with 21 successful long balls and 10 successful dribbles (26% success rate), indicating a more counter-attacking approach. They also had a higher rate of shots inside the box (67% vs 45%) and were more effective in converting box entries into shots (83% vs 79%).

**Strengths and Weaknesses:** Cruzeiro’s strengths lay in their ball control, with high pass accuracy and a strong presence in the opponent’s half (68% vs 47%). They also had more defensive actions (57 vs 36) and were more effective in intercepting opponent passes (4 vs 1). However, they struggled with shots off target (10 vs 5) and had a lower shot conversion rate on big chances (75% vs 67%). Vasco da Gama’s strengths included a higher rate of shots inside the box and more successful dribbles, but they had fewer total shots and less control in possession. They also had more shots blocked by opponents (5 vs 10), indicating less effective finishing. Vasco da Gama also had a red card, which may have impacted their performance.

**Conclusion:** The 3-3 draw reflects a highly competitive match where both teams had clear advantages in different areas. Cruzeiro had more possession, created more chances, and had a higher conversion rate on big chances (75% vs 67%). However, Vasco da Gama was more clinical in their shot selection, with a higher percentage of shots inside the box and a better rate of converting box entries into shots. Both teams had similar levels of shot accuracy and faced comparable defensive pressure. The result suggests that neither team fully capitalized on their opportunities, with Cruzeiro having more chances overall but Vasco da Gama being more efficient in converting their limited opportunities. The match was balanced, with both teams showing strengths that offset each other.