Neymar delivered a decisive two-assist performance to help Santos overcome a sluggish start and secure a 2-1 victory over Ecuador’s Macará on Thursday at Vila Belmiro in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. After Franco Posse shocked the hosts with an early opening goal for the visitors, Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa leveled the score before halftime with his 100th career goal for the club, set up by Neymar’s precise passing. Willian Arão added the winner in the second half off a corner kick delivered by the star playmaker, leaving Santos ahead on aggregate ahead of the return leg in Ambato.
A Shock Start at Vila Belmiro
The match began on the back foot for the Brazilian side. According to EFE, the squad directed by Cuca entered the pitch disconnected and struggled immediately to establish control in the midfield. Macará capitalized on the disjointed opening minutes when Mateo Viera received the ball with his back to goal, turned sharply, and delivered a precise cross. Uruguayan forward Franco Posse anticipated the defense and pushed the ball past the goal line to put the visitors ahead in the 3rd minute.
The early setback rattled the hosts, who are simultaneously fighting to avoid relegation in the Brasileirão. Compounding the tactical difficulties, Santos suffered a rash of physical setbacks during a chaotic first half. Full-back Gabriel Menino and midfielder Gabriel Bontempo both dropped to the turf with injuries, forcing Cuca into premature substitutions as Davizinho and Benjamín Rollheiser entered the match.
Neymar’s Injury Scare and Frustrations
The night nearly took a darker turn for the home side when Neymar triggered alarm bells by limping off the pitch with sharp pain in his right ankle, leaving Santos temporarily with ten men while he received treatment on the bench, as reported by EFE. Though the forward returned wearing a new pair of boots and showed brief signs of discomfort, he continued without further interruption.
Tensions also flared between the pitch and the stands during the difficult opening period. France 24 noted that Neymar addressed a brief run-in with restless supporters after the match, stating, “If they always come to the stadium with a negative mindset, it’s better to stay home.” Despite the friction, the 10 spark-plugged his side’s offensive revival just before the interval.
Gabigol’s Century Landmark and the Equalizer
In the 43rd minute, the partnership between Neymar and Gabigol clicked into gear. Barbosa met the ball instantly, lifting a left-footed shot over goalkeeper Rodrigo Rodríguez to tie the match at 1-1. The strike marked Gabigol’s 100th official goal across his three stints with Santos.
“If there is one thing I know how to do, it’s score,” Barbosa remarked after the match, according to France 24 coverage. “I was looking for it, I was trying.”
Set-Piece Precision Decides the Winner
Santos pressed heavily after the break, seeing two goals from Gabigol waved off for offside and forcing Rodríguez into sharp saves against João Schmidt and Argentine midfielder Álvaro Barreal. The breakthrough finally arrived from a dead-ball situation in the 75th minute. Neymar curled a venomous corner kick into the heart of the area where Willian Arão, who had been partially at fault for Macará’s early opener, met the ball. Though Rodríguez initially scrambled to clear, VAR confirmed the ball had crossed the goal line, handing Santos a 2-1 advantage amid protests from the visiting defense.
“I am happy to help the team, whether with assists or goals, and the important thing is to leave with the victory.”
Next Steps in the Copa Sudamericana
The narrow aggregate advantage leaves the tie finely balanced. Santos will travel next Thursday to face Macará for the second leg at 2,580 meters of altitude in the Ecuadorian city of Ambato. The winner of the round-of-16 series will advance to the quarterfinals to face the victor between Brazilian clubs Atlético Mineiro and Red Bull Bragantino.
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