Neymar was a victim in the duel on Friday night, 28/11, against Sport. It was necessary. After all, Peixe was in the relegation zone and needed to win this match in Matchday 36 (second to last) of the Brazilian League. Given this, against a team that was already relegated, it was win or win. And the star was there. Although he was far from the best and his ankle was very protected, Neymar opened the scoring and made some great passes. In the end, Pixe won 3-0, with an own goal from Lucas Cale and Joao Schmidt closing the score after a Neymar corner kick.
With this win, in addition to Internacional’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to Vasco in Rio, Santos reached the same tally as Internacional of 41 points, tied on points and wins, but with one more goal to their credit. This pushes Vitoria, with 39 points, into the relegation zone. However, when they face Vitoria Mirasol on Saturday, even if they win, Peixe will finish the round outside the Z4. Sport reaches the ninth consecutive match with defeat. The team has 17 points and is guaranteed last place and relegation.
This win for Santos led to the relegation of Juventude, which could only reach 40 points. But Santos and Inter, the first two teams outside Z4, have 41 points.
Neymar opens the scoring and Santos takes off
From the first minute, Santos was under pressure; Moreover, it created many opportunities. At the same time, the team complained a lot about Guilherme not getting a penalty kick, after a challenge with Matheus Alexander. At the age of 16, full-back Sousa unleashed a long shot and forced goalkeeper Gabriel into a fantastic save. Neymar, in turn, was the main offensive reference, as he attempted throws and crosses. But Santos’ first goal came on the counterattack in the 25th minute. Guilherme received the ball in the defensive midfield, advanced to the right flank and pulled the marker. Then he passed it to Neymar on the left side, who left the ball to number 19. He took control, took the defender out of play and finished the match strongly to open the score: 1-0.
On the other hand, Sport tried to respond offensively; However, it showed great fragility. And so, with the defense completely disorganised, Santos extended their 36. A corner kick from Barreal found Aarão, who headed the ball against the post. Raphael Thierry tried to save the ball but kicked Lucas Cale. An own goal increases Santos’ lead. Sport, very fragile and with their two main players (Lucas Lima and Pablo) doing nothing, had the first chance with Lucas Cale’s shot going wide.
Peixe expands in the second half
In the second half, Santos, with Lautaro replacing Tequinho in attack, continued to dominate the pitch, even with little attacking attack. The best one was Neymar’s signature, like a beautiful pass without looking at Barreal who shot over the crossbar, hitting the post.
But after Internacional lost 5-1 to Vasco, it meant that one more goal was enough for Pixie to edge out Internacional in the score. The goal came in the 22nd minute. Neymar headed a corner kick from the left side with Joao Schmidt’s head. The header ended in the goal: 3-0, which was Schmidt’s first goal in seven months.
Santos fans finally had a good night and almost celebrated another goal. Barreal is brought down in the area: penalty kick. Neymar had already prepared the attack when the video assistant referee called the referee. It was seen that immediately before the foul, Lautaro touched the ball, for offside. Unspecified penalty kick. But at that stage, victory was assured, and Santos, with two places, knows he will finish outside Z4, even if Vitoria beats Mirasol on Saturday.
Santos 3X0 Sport
Brazilian Championship – Round 36
date: 11/28/2025
location: Villa Belmiro, Santos (SP)
general: 11,156
income: 774,742.00 Brazilian Real
Objectives: Neymar, 25’/1st quarter (1-0); Lucas Cale, vs, 35’/1st quarter (2-0); Joao Schmidt, 22’/second (3-0)
Santos:Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinicius, Adonis Frias, Ze Evaldo e Souza; Willian Arau (Ze Rafael, 15’/2nd quarter), Joao Schmidt and Neymar (Bontempo, 44’/2nd quarter); Barreal (Robinho, 29’/2nd quarter), Tequinho (Rolheiser, 15’/2nd quarter) and Guilherme (Lautaro Diaz, Interval) idiomatic: Juan Pablo Voevoda.
sports:Gabriel; Matheus Alexander (Aderlan, 31’/2nd s), Rafael Thierry, Ramon and Luan Candido; Rivera. Lucas Cale (Gabriel, Interval) and Lucas Lima; Mateusinho (Igor Karius, 38’/2nd quarter), Leo Pereira and Pablo (Hiuran, Intervale, and later Romarinho, 38’/2nd quarter)). idiomatic: Cesar Lucena (Assistant).
arbitrator: Felipe Fernandez de Lima (MG)
Assistants: Felipe Allan Costa de Oliveira (MG) and Thiago Americano Lapis (SC)
Video Assistant Referee: Braulio da Silva Machado (SC)
Yellow cards: Aderlan, Adriel (SPO)
Follow our content on social media: Bluesky, Threads, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook