Santos FC delivered a resounding performance on Sunday night, defeating Inter de Limeira 3-0 and securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Campeonato Paulista. The match, held at the Estádio Municipal Major José Levy Sobrinho, showcased the brilliance of Neymar Jr., who not only scored but also provided two assists, marking his influential return to the team.
The Peixe opened the scoring early on, with Tiquinho Soares heading the ball home just ten minutes after kickoff. This was followed by Neymar's remarkable Olympic goal at the 26-minute mark, where he delivered the ball straight from the corner kick, which grazed the left post before finding the net. The Brazilian superstar's goal drew applause from both Santos fans and those from Inter de Limeira, who recognized the spectacular nature of the strike.
Soares added his second goal shortly after, nodding home another assist from Neymar just after the half-hour mark, putting Santos firmly in control of the game. It was evident early on how Santos wanted to dominate, and they did just this with calculated efficiency. Their tactical prowess was evident as they played well, especially through set pieces, which proved to be their major source of goals.
Santos FC head coach, Pedro Caixinha, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting Neymar's impact, stating, "Neymar made, perhaps, his best game since returning to the club. If it wasn’t the best, it was certainly the most influential." Caixinha emphasized how they hope to capitalize on their current momentum as they prepare for the quarterfinal showdown against Red Bull Bragantino.
The victory catapults Santos to the top of Group B with 18 points, ensuring they will play at home during the knockout stages of the tournament. With this recent success, the Peixe will be aiming to continue their winning ways as they set their sight on the cup.
Meanwhile, the defeat was lamentable for Inter de Limeira, as they ended their campaign with only 7 points, languishing at the bottom of the table and facing relegation back to Série A2 of the Campeonato Paulista.
The first half illustrated the stark differences between the two teams. While Santos displayed efficiency and attacking flair, Inter struggled to create meaningful chances or impose themselves on the match. Despite their best efforts, including early defensive interventions by goalkeeper Igo Gabriel, they were unable to withstand Santos’ offensive pressure.
This marked yet another challenging outing for Inter de Limeira, confirming their struggles throughout the season. With no victories across 11 matches, their relegation was sealed following the loss. The team must now regroup and prepare for next season, hoping to return stronger and more competitive.
For Santos, the positive vibes continue to roll as they look forward to potentially more success as the tournament progresses. Neymar’s involvement can undoubtedly galvanize the team, and if the star maintains his form, the Peixe could very well go deep this season.
Overall, this match against Inter de Limeira served as both confirmation of Santos’ dominance and as a symbol of the need for Inter to recalibrate and refocus for the future. With the next matches looming, all eyes will be on how Santos maintains their form and how Inter reacts to their disappointing season.