The Santos Football Club secured their place in the semifinals of the 2025 Campeonato Paulista following a solid 2-0 victory over Red Bull Bragantino at Vila Belmiro. The star of the match was undoubtedly Neymar, who showcased his talent, particularly during set pieces, contributing one goal and playing a pivotal role in the second.
Right from the start of the match on March 2, Santos displayed their intention to dominate. Neymar opened the scoring just 10 minutes after the whistle, bending a free-kick high and to the left, which took a fortunate deflection on its way to the goal. This early breakthrough not only energized the crowd but also set the pace for much of the first half, with Santos maintaining control and creating various scoring opportunities.
Despite the multiple chances created, including several from Guilherme who had three notable goal-scoring opportunities yet failed to find the net, the first half ended 1-0. Neymar's influence extended beyond just his goal; he demonstrated excellent playmaking ability, orchestrated impressive attacking sequences, and drew attention from the Bragantino defenders who struggled to contain him.
The Santos defense, anchored by Gil and Zé Ivaldo, along with the inspired performance from left-back Escobar, held firm against Bragantino's advances, ensuring the score remained favorable. Escobar, particularly, earned praise for his defensive work and contributions to the team's overall gameplay.
Bragantino, determined to react, began to assert themselves more aggressively as the second half commenced. Their attempts, though, were effectively countered by Santos, who struck again shortly after the break. A poorly cleared corner from Bragantino fell to João Schmidt who, with poise, calmly converted at the 56-minute mark, widening their lead. Schmidt's goal came from close range, capitalizing on the mix-up following another set-piece executed by Neymar.
Following the second goal, Santos appeared on course to extend their advantage even more. The team's fluidity and pace were evident, though they were unable to find the back of the net again before full-time. Bragantino's goalkeeper, Cleiton, faced multiple threats but managed to keep the score at 2-0.
With this victory, Santos moved on to the semifinals, waiting to see who would emerge as their next opponent, likely to be either Palmeiras or Corinthians, setting the stage for another thrilling matchup. The outcome of the final group-stage match involving São Paulo will determine the exact configuration of the semifinal brackets. The anticipation builds as it has been years since all four major São Paulo clubs contended for the title at this stage, highlighting the significance of the moment for the league.
Neymar's performance has been notable since his return to Santos, and he now has three goals to his name this season—one from penalties, another from open play, and the goal against Bragantino from a free kick. His agility and precision during set-piece situations continue to pose difficult challenges for opposing defenses, proving invaluable to Santos as they progress. Post-match, Neymar was substituted due to slight discomfort after grasping his thigh, but the club later assured fans it was not serious and merely fatigue.
Pedro Caixinha, Santos’ coach, expressed satisfaction with the performance, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the execution of their game plan. "It was another satisfying game for our supporters, and we are moving forward with strong momentum," he stated, highlighting the collective effort of the team who now relish the opportunity to compete for the title they last won nearly ten years ago.
With only the semifinal matchups remaining, anticipation is high for the next round of the Paulista Championship, scheduled to take place on March 8 or 9. Meanwhile, Santos will use the time to prepare, with players expected to rest for the next challenge. The Santos faithful look to see their team not just perform well but bring home the coveted title.