Neymar returns: Santos draw with Fortaleza, miss Z4 escape chance | OneFootball

Santos missed the chance to distance themselves from the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship on Saturday afternoon in a direct confrontation with Fortaleza. The Peixe fell behind on the scoreboard, but with Neymar on the field, they managed a 1-1 draw at Vila Belmiro, in a match valid for the 31st round of the national tournament.

Adam Bareiro scored for Fortaleza, while Bruno Pacheco deflected a shot from Adonis Frías and scored an own goal, giving Santos the draw. In the first half, Leão do Pici also had a goal disallowed.

Standings Situation

Santos failed to take advantage of the third-worst visitor in the Brasileirão and only added one point with Fortaleza, remaining in 16th position. The Peixe could have opened a four-point lead over the relegation zone, but now, they have only two more than Vitória, who are at the top of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Fortaleza remains in the relegation area, in 18th place, with 28 points.

📋 Match Summary

⚫⚪ SANTOS 1X1 FORTALEZA 🔴🔵⚪ 🏆 Competition: Brazilian Championship (31st round) 🏟️ Location: Vila Belmiro, in Santos (SP) 📅 Date: November 1, 2025 (Saturday) ⏰ Time: 4 PM (Brasília time) 👥 Attendance: 13,356 💰 Revenue: R$ 743,510.50 🟨 Yellow cards: João Schmidt, Lautaro Díaz, Adonis Frías, Luan Peres (Santos); Brítez, Pochettino (Fortaleza) 🟥 Red cards: None

Refereeing

Referee: Anderson Daronco Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves and Maira Mastella Moreira VAR: Caio Max Augusto Vieira

Goals

⚽ Adam Bareiro, at 34′ of the 1st half (Fortaleza) ⚽ Bruno Pacheco (own goal), at 28′ of the 2nd half (Santos)

⚫⚪ SANTOS Gabriel Brazão; Igor Vinícius, Luan Peres, Adonis Frías, and Escobar; João Schmidt (Willian Arão), Zé Rafael, and Victor Hugo (Neymar); Rollheiser (Tiquinho Soares), Barreal (Robinho Jr.), and Lautaro Díaz (Guilherme). Coach: Juan Pablo Vojvoda

🔴🔵⚪ FORTALEZA Brenno; Mancuso (Tinga), Brítez, Ávila, and Bruno Pacheco; Pierre (Pablo Roberto) and Lucas Sasha; Herrera (Yago Pikachu), Breno Lopes, and Pochettino (Diogo Barbosa); Adam Bareiro (Moisés). Coach: Martín Palermo

How was the game?

Fortaleza was the first to attempt a shot in the game, at two minutes. Lucas Sasha shot from the edge of the area, forcing Brazão to make a save. Shortly before, Brazão had punched away a cross from Bruno Pacheco. Santos tried to respond at six and launched a good counterattack with a play by Victor Hugo and Igor Vinícius. Zé Rafael received the ball at the edge of the area and was fouled. On the free kick, the number 6 hit the wall.

At 12 minutes, Peixe created their best chance but wasted it in the finish. Zé Rafael recovered the ball, invaded the area, and sent a low pass to Rollheiser, who just deflected it out. In the sequence, Fortaleza launched a counterattack, Breno Lopes faced Brazão one-on-one, and the goalkeeper made a great save. At 25, Schmidt passed to Rollheiser at the edge of the area, the forward invaded, cleared the defense, and shot over the goal.

Fortaleza opens the scoring, extends, but has a goal disallowed

Fortaleza opened the scoring at 34 minutes. Breno Lopes crossed from the left into the area, and Adam Bareiro headed it into Brazão's goal. Leão scored the second at 39, with Bareiro, but the play was disallowed for offside by Breno Lopes, who received the ball in an offside position before assisting his teammate.

Neymar enters in the 2nd half and participates in the equalizing goal

The second half started a bit more lively. Before ten minutes, Santos created two chances to try to equalize but missed the finish. First, with Luan Peres, who shot from distance and missed, at five, and then with Tiquinho Soares. The number 9 controlled the ball in the area, attempted a bicycle kick, but couldn't complete the move and sent it out.

At 25 minutes, Fortaleza threatened again after a counterattack, but Diogo Barbosa missed in front of the goal and sent it out. Peixe responded shortly after. Zé Rafael shot from outside the area, the ball deflected, and went to the corner for Brenno to save. At 28, Santos equalized. Neymar tricked the defense, passed to Adonis on the right, the defender shot across, the ball deflected off Bruno Pacheco and ended up in the back of the net.

The draw didn't solve the situation for either Santos or Fortaleza. Peixe pressured the visitors, who counterattacked, keeping the match intense despite the few clear goal opportunities. In injury time, Brazão saved Peixe from a Moisés attempt. Shortly after, Santos had a free kick at the edge of the area, Neymar shot directly, with danger, but saw Brenno palm it away.

Next Santos match

Palmeiras vs. Santos Competition: Brazilian Championship (32nd round) Date and time: November 6, 2025 (Thursday), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) Location: Allianz Parque, in São Paulo (SP)

Next Fortaleza match

Ceará vs. Fortaleza Competition: Brazilian Championship (32nd round) Date and time: November 6, 2025 (Thursday), at 8 PM (Brasília time) Location: Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza (CE)

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