Copa do Brasil semifinals begin: Palmeiras-Vasco, Grêmio-Atlético

The Copa do Brasil semifinals opened on November 1, 2026, with two first-leg matches across Brazil. Palmeiras hosted Vasco at Nubank Parque in São Paulo at 16:00 (Brasília time), while Grêmio faced Atlético-MG at Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre at 18:30. Over 40,000 fans attended the Palmeiras-Vasco match; the venue had hosted more than 2 million people throughout October for matches and concerts. Approximately 500 workers dismantled a concert stage featuring Zeca Pagodinho, Alcione, and Jorge Aragão on the night of October 31, completing preparations within 12 hours.

Palmeiras arrived as statistical favorites in their matchup against Vasco. The clubs have never met in the Copa do Brasil despite eight previous knockout encounters in other competitions, each with four victories. Palmeiras held a 14-match undefeated streak (10 wins, 4 draws) against Vasco from 2017 to 2025, which Vasco broke with a 2–1 victory in the 2026 Brasileirão first round. At Nubank Parque specifically, Vasco's history was less favorable: in nine prior matches there, Vasco won only the first in 2015 (2–0), with Palmeiras claiming six victories and two draws.

The qualifying paths showed distinct trajectories: Vasco defeated Vitória 3–0 on aggregate (1–0 away, 2–0 at home), while Palmeiras beat Santos 3–0 at home and drew 0–0 away. Grêmio advanced after a 0–0 draw with Internacional away and a 3–1 home victory, and Atlético-MG drew 1–1 with Cruzeiro at Mineirão before winning 2–1 at Arena MRV. Return legs are scheduled for November 7 (Atlético-MG vs. Grêmio at Arena MRV, 18:00) and November 8 (Vasco vs. Palmeiras at São Januário, 17:00), with the final set for December 6 at Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília as a single match.

Grêmio reaches its 16th Copa do Brasil semifinal, equaling Flamengo's record for most semifinal appearances since the tournament's 1989 inception. Vasco appears in its third consecutive semifinal with 11 total; Palmeiras reaches its 10th; Atlético-MG, champion in 2014 and 2021, disputes its seventh.

Concurrently, the Brasileirão (Brazilian championship) continued in round 33 on October 31. Flamengo extended its lead by defeating Vasco 4–1, with Pedro and Samuel Lino each scoring twice. Palmeiras drew 0–0 with Santos. Flamengo now holds 73 points to Palmeiras' 70—a three-point advantage with five matches remaining for each. Coritiba ended the round by defeating Vitória 2–0, while Cruzeiro beat Atlético-MG 1–0 and Grêmio defeated Athletico-PR 2–0.