Gabigol settles derby as Santos beat São Paulo in the Brasileirão | OneFootball

Santos made better use of their chances and beat São Paulo 2-1 this Friday, the 2nd, at Morumbi, in a postponed match from the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. Luciano opened the scoring for the home side, but Gabigol scored twice and led Santos’ comeback.

The result took Santos to 41 points in seventh place. São Paulo, meanwhile, remained on 36 points and sit in 11th. The win also boosts Peixe’s confidence, especially with another major opponent awaiting in the next round.

São Paulo take the lead

The FIFA international break did not disrupt the rivals’ rhythm. The derby began at a high tempo, with both teams pushing forward and creating chances. São Paulo had more attacking volume in the first half, with 11 shots to four.

However, they faced a dangerous Santos side in passing moves and long-range efforts. The hosts’ goal came in the 33rd minute. Ryan Francisco was fouled by Lucas Veríssimo inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review.

Luciano stepped up and converted with no chance for goalkeeper Diógenes. The lead, however, did not last long. Less than two minutes later, Santos responded. Everton Cebolinha found Escobar on the left, and the full-back delivered a perfect cross for Gabigol. The striker got between the defenders and headed into the corner, leaving Coronel with no chance.

Gabigol decides it in the second half

The equalizer changed the dynamic of the derby. Santos came back from the break more aggressive and found the go-ahead goal in the eighth minute. Coutinho received the ball in midfield, turned past his marker and played in Cebolinha. The forward found Gabigol inside the box, and the No. 9 left Tolói behind before finishing into the net.

With the lead, Santos began to exploit the spaces left by São Paulo. Cebolinha threatened again in the 13th minute with a shot from outside the box that sailed over the crossbar. São Paulo tried to respond with aerial balls. In the 16th minute, Artur sent in a free kick for Luciano, whose header went off target.

The home team kept pushing for an equalizer, but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Peixe also had opportunities to extend the lead. Pedro Lima met Wendell’s cross with a free header in the 27th minute, but sent it wide.

Before that, Gustavinho had wasted another chance with a poor finish from the edge of the box. In the closing minutes, tempers flared. Rony received the ball on the left and was challenged by Artur, but the referee waved play on.

The Santos bench protested intensely, and Arzul, the goalkeeping coach, was eventually sent off. Santos withstood the pressure and sealed the comeback at Morumbi. In the next round, Peixe host Flamengo on Thursday at Vila Belmiro. São Paulo return to the field on Wednesday, when they visit Cruzeiro at Mineirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.