Neymar, Gabigol Secure Comeback Win
Neymar and Gabigol Lead Santos to Comeback 2-1 Victory Over Macará in Sudamericana First Leg
Key Points
Macará struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute when Franco Posse finished after a Mateo Viera cross, signaling a rough start for Santos at Vila Belmiro.
Santos were forced into two substitutions before the 30th minute due to injuries (Gabriel Menino and Gabriel Bontempo), and Neymar briefly limped off in the 17th minute, even changing boots to regain his rhythm.
Gabigol’s 100th goal for Santos came in the 43rd minute, finished calmly after a surgical Neymar through-ball, underscoring the star duo’s late-bright moments for the comeback.
Gabigol had two goals ruled out for offside shortly after the restart, keeping the scoreline tight as Santos pressed for a second.
Macará’s Rodrigo Rodríguez was a standout, making several crucial saves for the visitors, with BeIN Sports noting his influence as Santos pushed for a winner (Rodríguez also features in a broader stat line highlighting his recent run of form: 13 goals and 8 assists in 24 matches for Santos).
Santos came from behind to beat Ecuador's Macará 2-1 at Vila Belmiro on Wednesday, taking a narrow first-leg lead in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. Neymar and Gabigol drove the comeback after a rocky start, with Gabigol scoring his 100th goal for the club to level the tie before Neymar set up the winner. beIN Sports called it a strong performance from Neymar despite early struggles.
The result was only Santos' third win in 14 matches this year with both stars. Yahoo Sports noted the victory came despite Santos losing two players to injury before the 30th minute. Macará now needs a two-goal swing in the second leg in Ambato to progress.
Macará Strike Early, Santos Rocked by Injuries
Macará wasted no time. Franco Posse finished in just the 3rd minute after a cross from Mateo Viera, giving the Ecuadorian side a shock lead at Vila Belmiro. The goal rattled Santos and set a nervous tone for the home side early on.
Things got worse before they got better. Santos were forced into two substitutions before the half-hour mark due to injuries to Gabriel Menino and Gabriel Bontempo. Neymar himself limped off briefly in the 17th minute and even changed his boots to get back his rhythm, according to beIN Sports.
Gabigol's 100th Goal Sparks Santos Comeback
Santos pulled level in the 43rd minute. Neymar threaded a sharp through-ball into Gabigol, who finished calmly to make it 1-1. It was Gabigol's 100th goal for the club — a milestone moment that steadied Santos heading into half-time.
Neymar then delivered the decisive moment later in the match, setting up the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1. beIN Sports reported Neymar shone overall despite his early ankle trouble. The comeback showed the star duo's ability to flip a match in a short window.
Offside Flags and Rodríguez Keep the Tie Tight
Santos pressed hard after the break but kept running into setbacks. Gabigol had two goals ruled out for offside shortly after the restart. The margins were razor-thin as Santos pushed for breathing room.
Macará's goalkeeper Rodrigo Rodríguez was a standout for the visitors. beIN Sports noted his influence, as he made several crucial saves to keep Santos from pulling further ahead. His efforts kept the tie alive for the second leg in Ambato.
Neymar Fires Back at Santos Fans After Boos
The night was not entirely smooth off the ball either. Neymar was booed by some fans after misplacing a pass in the first half. He hit back sharply, telling supporters it is "better to stay home" if they plan to criticise the club, according to ESPN.
Santos now hold a slender 2-1 advantage going into the second leg. Head Topics noted this was only the third win in 14 matches for Santos with Neymar and Gabigol together. The tie is far from over, but Macará face a steep climb in Ambato.
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