Rio de Janeiro – Flamengo intensified the Brazilian Serie A title race by securing a crucial 3-2 victory over Santos, pushing the storied club into a relegation spot despite star forward Neymar’s return to the lineup.
The win in the 33rd round of the championship elevated Flamengo to 68 points, drawing level with league leaders Palmeiras, who were scheduled to play Mirassol shortly after. The result maintains immense pressure on Palmeiras in the closing stages of the season.
Meanwhile, Santos now sits in 17th place with 33 points, a precarious position below the safety line. The club faces the increasing threat of relegation from Brazil’s top flight.
Neymar had made his first start for Santos since September 14, but his presence at the Maracanã stadium could not prevent the defeat. He was substituted in the 86th minute before Santos managed to score two late consolation goals.
The celebrated forward also received another yellow card during the match, meaning he will miss Santos’s next pivotal game against Palmeiras on November 16.
Flamengo’s goals came from Léo Pereira in the 37th minute, Carrascal in the 51st minute, and Bruno Henrique in the 81st minute. Midfielder De Arrascaeta also missed a penalty for Flamengo in the 68th minute.
Santos found the net through Gabriel Bontempo in the 89th minute and Lautaro Díaz in the first minute of added time, with the latter assisted by Rollheiser, who had replaced Neymar. Rollheiser is currently on loan from Benfica.
In another significant match, Leonardo Jardim’s Cruzeiro was held to a goalless draw by Fluminense, losing ground in their own title ambitions. Cruzeiro remains in third place with 64 points.
Speaking after the match at Mineirão, Coach Jardim acknowledged his team’s lack of finishing. “Today we didn’t have the effectiveness and the art of concluding the plays,” Jardim stated. He added that he would be concerned only “if we weren’t creating opportunities.”