🎥 Neymar makes the difference as Santos turn it round v Macará

Santos were caught off guard, lost two players to possible injuries in the first half, and had to dig deep.

VAR didn’t exactly “help” either, but Peixe came from behind to beat Macará this Thursday (13).

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Gabigol and Willian Arão secured the 2-1 win in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16.

It was a hard-fought clash at Vila, with Neymar standing out in a major way.

It was only Santos’ third win in 14 matches this year with Neymar and Gabigol both in the starting lineup.

Check out the highlights below.

First half with a ‘bit of everything’

Santos were stunned just five minutes in.

Luan Peres gave away space, Arão failed to deal with it, and Franco Posse put Macará ahead.

Peixe’s task then became to “find themselves” on the pitch so their superior technical quality could shine through.

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Gabigol started to take center stage and had some great chances.

Cuca had to make two substitutions before halftime after losing Gabriel Menino and then Bontempo.

Then Neymar and Gabigol made the difference.

A pass from the No. 10 for the No. 9 to score his 100th goal in a Santos shirt.

Neymar had already needed to change his boots and caused another scare after slipping and feeling pain in his left knee area.

VAR turns ‘villain’

Santos came back well after the break, scoring twice through Gabigol.

But the No. 9 was offside on both attempts.

The first came with a Neymar dummy, and the second after a perfect pass from the No. 10.

A ‘different’ protagonist

Santos kept pushing.

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They tried to overcome both a committed opponent and the natural anxiety of a team under pressure.

Then Neymar made the difference once again.

A corner kick that caught the opposing defense by surprise, and Arão scored.

It was his first goal in a Santos shirt.

Santos were the better side, but they will take only a narrow advantage into the second leg.

What now❓

The second leg will be played next Thursday (20) at Estadio Bellavista.

Santos will have the advantage of a draw.

Macará, meanwhile, will need to win by at least two goals to qualify in regular time.

A one-goal win will send the tie to penalties.

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Whoever goes through will face Atlético or Red Bull Bragantino next. In the first leg, in Bragança, Galo won 1-0.

Peixe now turn their focus back to the Brasileirão. They are the team currently opening the relegation zone and will be away to 18th-placed Vasco on Sunday (16). The match will be played at São Januário.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.