Santos takes the lead against Macará in the Copa Sudamericana with a display by Neymar
Santos managed to win 2-1 against Macará of Ecuador in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. In a match marked by intensity and physical setbacks, Neymar Jr. emerged as the key figure by assisting in both goals that allowed the Brazilian team to come from behind.
The start of the match was a bucket of cold water for the hosts. Barely three minutes had passed when Franco Posse, after a precise cross from Mateo Viera, put the Ecuadorian team in the lead, momentarily silencing the fans. The situation became even more complicated for Santos during the first half, due to the injuries of Gabriel Menino and Gabriel Bontempo, who had to be substituted before halftime.
Neymar himself caused concern in the stands when he briefly left the field due to severe pain in his right ankle; however, after receiving medical attention, the Brazilian star returned to the pitch to lead his team’s comeback.
When it seemed that Santos would head into halftime at a disadvantage, Neymar appeared to change the course of the match. In the 43rd minute, he threaded a precise pass into the box, where Gabriel Barbosa finished first-time to equalize and celebrate his 100th goal for Santos.
Already in the second half, Santos’ dominance was evident. Although the score did not change immediately due to two goals disallowed for Gabriel Barbosa by refereeing decisions, the persistence paid off in the 75th minute. Neymar shone once again, this time through a corner kick executed with surgical precision that Willian Arão headed in to seal the final 2-1 score.
The road to the quarterfinals
With this result, Santos will face the second leg with a minimal, yet crucial, advantage. The decisive matchup will take place next Thursday in Ambato, Ecuador, where the Brazilian team will have to overcome the challenge of playing at 2,580 meters above sea level to seal their passage to the next phase of the Copa Sudamericana.
