explosion of tear gas occurred and everyone in the stadium was affected. Following the break, a tie was secured by Bangu after Tiano converted a penalty. Thiago Feltri and Bernardo then converted a free kick to regain the lead and secure eventual victory for their club. In the fourth round, Vasco da Gama beat Friburguense with a score of 2–0. The game marked the debut of the third uniform design for the season: a blue uniform, in reference to the maritime staff origins of the club. Diego Souza was the highlight of the match, scoring two goals, assisted by Juninho Pernambucano and Felipe, respectively. Considerable expectation surrounded the return of the Vasco da Gama club to the Copa Libertadores. However, the club was unable to emerge victorious, with observers citing nervousness, a lack of luck and unusual errors for the 2–1 defeat at São Januário to Nacional. The Nacional opened the scoring on a corner kick move. At first, the goal was given to Andrés Scotti, but then was marked own goal by Dedé. In the second half, on the first pitch, Vicente Sánchez opened 2–0. Alecsandro decreased the score (2-1), and Vasco da Gama drew a reaction, that included a goal from Carlos Tenorio (but that was canceled as well), but it was. The defeat of Vasco da Gama to the Nacional was considered overwhelming and contributed to a discussion about the level of Brazilian football at the time, which had been initiated following games like Flamengo vs. Universidad de Chile (0-4), and Santos vs. Barcelona (0-4). In a game on 12 February 2012, Vasco da Gama defeated the Fluminense Football Club, 2–1, in the Clássico dos Gigantes ("Giants derby"). Fluminense gained the lead position due to a goal from Thiago Neves, but Alecsandro, with two opportunistic goals, secured eventual victory for the Vasco da Gama club. However, the performances during the match was overshadowed by the Brazilian media's focus upon the perceived poor performance of referee, Antonio Schneider. In a postponed game (15 February), Vasco da Gama won the Volta Redonda 3–0 at São Januário. Alecsandro, assisted by Fellipe Bastos scored the first. Wiliam Barbio, assisted by Alecsandro, scored the second and his first goal for Vasco da Gama. And Alecsandro, in penalty suffered by Thiago Feltri, closed the scoring. All this in just the first time. But, during this game, the news fell like a bombshell in