Neymar misses a clear chance and Fluminense defeats Santos 3-2 in the Brasileirão

Fluminense defeated Santos 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Vila Belmiro. The game for the 12th round of Campeonato Brasileiro had five goals and alternation on the scoreboard. Gabriel Barbosa opened the scoring for the home team. Savarino equalized in the first half. Barreal put Santos ahead again. Castillo equalized the duel. John Kennedy decided the match 41 minutes into the second half.

Santos arrived at the clash with 13 points and pressured by the proximity of the relegation zone. Fluminense had 20 points and was looking to establish itself among the first placed. Neymar played for the home team in their third straight game. The number 10 participated in the construction of the first goal but performed discreetly throughout the match.

Santos opens the scoring with Gabriel Barbosa

The duel started with the teams studying each other. The pace was low in the opening minutes. Aos Eight minutes into the first half, Willian Arão stole the ball in midfield. Ele played for Neymar, who served Gabriel Barbosa. The striker finished with his right foot and opened the scoring. The VAR reviewed the play due to a possible foul by Neymar at the origin of the play. The play was validated.

After the goal, Santos gained confidence. The team exchanged quick passes in the attacking field. Neymar appeared in some tables. The team almost expanded in the 15th minute with another finish from Gabriel Barbosa after a good combination with Bontempo. Fluminense suffered from the initial pressure but maintained its defensive organization.

Savarino equalizes with long range shot

Fluminense gradually balanced the shares. The visitors explored shots from outside the area. Aos 24 minutes into the first half, Jefferson Savarino received the ball in the middle. Ele adjusted and released a shot placed with his left foot. The ball traveled into the top corner and tied the game at 1-1. Goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão was unable to reach it.

The goal changed the momentum of the match. Santos felt the draw. The crowd at Vila Belmiro became quieter. Neymar had less space and started to complain about some markings. Fluminense grew with the support of full-backs Guga and Arana. The Rio team ended the first half with more ball possession.

• Gabriel Barbosa scored Santos’s first goal eight minutes into the first half
• Savarino equalized with a beautiful shot from outside the box in the 24th minute
• Barreal turned the game around for Santos 11 minutes into the second half
• Castillo left everything the same again 15 minutes into the final stage
• John Kennedy guaranteed Fluminense’s victory 41 minutes into the second half

Barreal turns the game around with a great goal in the second half

Santos returned from the break with the intention of applying pressure. The team looked to attack but encountered difficulties with the last pass. Aos 11 minutes into the second half, Gabriel Barbosa started a play on the right. Ele released Álvaro Barreal. The full-back made a quick turn to escape the marking and played for coverage over goalkeeper Fábio. The score was 2-1 for the home team.

Fluminense’s response came quickly. In a play on the right, Savarino played for Guga. The full-back crossed just right. Rodrigo Castillo rose well and headed the ball into the goal. The 2-2 draw came after 15 minutes. The game was open again with both teams alternating in attack.

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John Kennedy decides after Neymar fails

Balance marked the final stretch. Santos had a great opportunity in the 37th minute of the second half. Neymar received the ball inside the penalty area after a mistake by the Tricolor defense. Ele kicked hard but goalkeeper Fábio made a good save. The wasted chance weighed in soon after.

Aos 41 minutes, Guga advanced from the right and crossed low. John Kennedy appeared free in the small area and put the ball into the goal. Fluminense turned the score to 3-2. Santos tried to react in desperation in the final minutes but were unable to equalize. Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio ended the match with protests from the Santos fans.

The result left Fluminense with 23 points at the top of the table. Santos remained with 13 points and remains close to the relegation zone. The match had 14,179 paying fans on Vila Belmiro.

Escalação and match details

Santos acted with Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinícius, Lucas Veríssimo, Luan Peres and Barreal; Willian Arão, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Bontempo and Moisés; Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa. Coach Cuca was suspended and assistant Cuquinha commanded the team from the edge of the field.

Fluminense went to the field with Fábio; Guga, Jemmes, Freytes and Arana; Bernal, Hércules, Alisson and Savarino; Serna and Castillo. Coach Luis Zubeldía made changes compared to the previous game.

Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio handed out yellow cards to Igor Vinícius, Gustavo Henrique, Gabriel Barbosa, Bernal, Alisson, Lucas Veríssimo and Fluminense’s own coach. The income from the match was R$1,192,798.58.