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Santos and Vasco played the only match of the fourth round of the Brasileirão on Thursday night (26), bringing together the then bottom two teams in the standings.
Neymar took center stage.
There was a celebration for Vini Jr., a spat with a rival, insults, and two goals from the number 10 in a World Cup year.
He secured Peixe’s 2-1 win over Cruz-Maltino at Vila Belmiro in heavy rain.
A result that gave Santos some breathing room.
And sank the Carioca team, which is still searching for a new coach.
EXCITEMENT from the start
The first big chance was for Vasco, with Nuno Moreira. But Brazão said “no.”
Santos didn’t take long to respond, reinforcing that the game would indeed be open.
Up until then unable to stand out, Neymar made his mark at the 25th minute.
He received the ball from Moisés and struck it cleanly, giving Jardim no chance.
Goal number 151 for Santos. Entering the club’s Top 10 all-time scorers.
The celebration began with calls for silence directed at the Vasco fans present at Vila.
Then, a dance at the corner flag, reminiscent of Vini Jr., who was the target of racism against Benfica in the Champions League.
A commotion broke out before the game resumed due to Neymar’s celebration.
He argued with Thiago Mendes and pretended to have been headbutted.
Both ended up getting yellow cards.
They were rivals in France, with the then Lille midfielder injuring Neymar while he was at PSG.
As he left for halftime, Neymar was asked about the incident with Thiago Mendes and didn’t hold back.
"Always him. He always wants to start trouble, always wants to act tough, it’s always like that. With all due respect, he’s an idiot. He already broke me once at PSG and promised to do it again today. So let’s see if he’s man enough to break me again.”
Vasco continued to be very dangerous down the left.
A Santos error came, and Gómez set up Barros, who finished with freedom (43’).
Securing the equalizer before halftime.
More Neymar vs. Thiago Mendes and another goal from the 🔟
Their rematch didn’t take long in the second half.
But Neymar was unsuccessful in getting Thiago Mendes sent off.
The duel continued with pure back-and-forth. And mistakes on both sides.
It was after another Vasco error that Santos pulled ahead again.
After a long ball to Neymar, Paulo Henrique “set it up” for the rival as he went up with Saldivia.
And Peixe’s number 10 was grateful, finishing with class (16’).
Both coaches worked hard.
There was no lack of effort. But there was a lack of stamina.
And Santos celebrated.
📊 Standings and schedule 📅
Victorious for the first time in the BR, Santos moved up to four points.
They took 13th place.
Meanwhile, Vasco remains with just one and is now in last place.
That’s ten losses, one draw, and one win in the last 12 Brasileirão games—including 2025.
Cruz-Maltino now turns its focus to the Carioca semifinal.
They will face Fluminense on Sunday (1) after losing 1-0 in the first leg.
And Peixe will only play again on the 10th.
They will visit Mirassol at Maião for the fifth round of the Brasileirão.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
