Santos secured a 2-0 victory over Bragantino on Sunday evening at Vila Belmiro, with goals from Neymar and Adonis Frías. The No.10 started for Peixe and opened the scoring in the 40th minute of the first half. Frías, a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup, doubled the lead in the 81st minute.
On a chilly night in Baixada Santista, marked by one of the smallest crowds of the season at Vila Belmiro, Santos played decent football but wasted several chances to extend the margin. Despite the win, the team remains close to the relegation zone, level on points with Corinthians, who are just above the drop zone.
The first half was lively, with Neymar and Escobar both appealing for penalties and the refereeing drawing boos from the crowd. Bragantino threatened first through a Juninho Capixaba shot, but Santos responded with opportunities from Barreal, Rollheiser, and Neymar, forcing important saves from Tiago Volpi. Goalkeeper Diógenes also made key stops to keep the visitors at bay. Then, despite not having a stellar performance, Neymar capitalized on Santos’ best spell to break the deadlock at the 40-minute mark.
After the break, Bragantino tried to fight back, with a Gustavo Marques shot that Diógenes saved, but Santos maintained control and extended their lead through Adonis Frías, who pounced on a loose ball in the box after a Barreal tussle. With a solid collective display and another decisive moment from Neymar, Peixe earned a crucial home win that boosts their fight to escape the lower half of the table.
Lucas Veríssimo celebrated his 200th appearance for Santos, receiving a commemorative plaque from his wife Amanda alongside their children Mirela and Samuel. The club also held a special tribute for Mother’s Day, with players wearing their mothers’ names on their shirts. Neymar even went to one of the lower executive boxes at Vila Belmiro to hug and give a gift to his mother, Nadine.
Some players, such as Arão and Rony, saw a drop in performance during the second half. At the 22-minute mark of the first half, Neymar won a free kick just outside the box and tried to shoot directly, but sent the ball well wide of Tiago Volpi’s goal.
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