Santos face Vasco again: what’s changed since the Morumbis humiliation

In partnership with

Gazeta Esportiva.com

·26 February 2026

Santos face Vasco again: what’s changed since the Morumbis humiliation

This Thursday, Santos faces Vasco for the first time since the infamous 6-0 defeat. From the historic embarrassment at Morumbi to today, much has changed at Peixe — both in technical command and on the field.

Right after the final whistle on that August 17, 2025, the board decided to dismiss Cleber Xavier. The chosen one to take over the team was Juan Pablo Vojvoda, who remains in charge to this day. However, the Argentine arrives at tonight's game under pressure and at risk of dismissal in case of a setback.

OneFootball Videos

The squad has also undergone transformations. In the 6-0 thrashing, Santos took the field with: Gabriel Brazão; Mayke, Luisão, Luan Peres, and Souza (Escobar); Zé Rafael (Rollheiser), Gabriel Bontempo (Rincón), and Neymar; Barreal (Caballero), Guilherme, and Tiquinho Soares (Luca Meirelles).

Of the starters from that match, only Brazão, Luan Peres, Bontempo, and Neymar are expected to start playing this Thursday. Mayke, Zé Rafael, and Barreal remain in the squad but are likely to be options on the bench, as well as Escobar and Rollheiser. Meanwhile, Souza, Caballero, Guilherme, Tiquinho Soares, and Luca Meirelles have left the club. Rincón, on the other hand, is in an undefined situation.

A probable lineup for the match against Vasco includes: Brazão; Igor Vinicius, Adonis Frías, Luan Peres, and Vinicius Lira; Willian Arão, Gabriel Menino, Gabriel Bontempo; Neymar, Gabigol, and Rony.

Among the names of the current team, Adonis Frías, Willian Arão, Gabriel Menino, Gabigol, and Rony joined after the thrashing.

Despite the changes, Santos arrives once again under pressure to face Vasco. The club's situation is delicate: in three games in the Brasileirão, the Alvinegro Praiano has only one point, with one draw and two defeats. Thus, the team entered the round in 18th place.