Rodrygo hat-trick as Santos thrashed Vitória at Vila 🏟️ | OneFootball

Santos hosts Vitória this Monday at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro, in a clash valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. It will be the Bahia side’s first visit to the stadium since June 3, 2018, i.e., more than seven years ago.

On that occasion, Santos fans witnessed a true spectacle from Rodrygo, now at Real Madrid. The forward scored three goals in just eight minutes and also provided an assist in the 5–2 rout, in the ninth round of that year’s Brasileirão. Gabigol also shone, with a goal and an assist, while Renato rounded out the score. Neilton and Ramon pulled goals back for Vitória.

Rodrygo, Santos FC player, celebrates his goal during the match against Vitória, valid for the ninth round of the 2018 Brazilian Championship. (Photo: Djalma Vassão/Gazeta Press)

Curiously, Santos were managed by Jair Ventura, currently Vitória’s head coach. The team took the field that night with Vanderlei; Victor Ferraz, David Braz, Lucas Veríssimo (Gustavo Henrique) and Dodô; Renato, Diego Pituca and Jean Mota; Rodrygo (Copete), Gabigol and Eduardo Sasha (Léo Cittadini).

Underwhelming Brasileirão

Despite the big result, Peixe struggled in that edition of the league. The win lifted the team out of the relegation zone, but instability saw them return to the “drop zone” a few rounds later, which led to Jair Ventura’s dismissal. With Cuca’s arrival, Santos bounced back and finished the competition in tenth place. Vitória, in turn, suffered relegation after finishing second from bottom.

Current situation of both teams

Peixe comes into the game on a high after beating Corinthians 3–1 last Wednesday at Vila Belmiro. The club is in 16th place with 31 points.

Leão is also upbeat after winning the Ba-Vi derby against Bahia 2–1 at Barradão. The team sits 17th with 28 points, the first inside the Z-4.

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