Santos end five-year wait in international knockouts and 20-year Sudamericana drought | OneFootball

Santos have ended their five-year wait for progress in international knockouts, and a 20-year drought in the Copa Sudamericana, by coming through the competition’s playoffs.

According to Diario Do Peixe, this is their first progression in a continental knockout since 2021. That year they eliminated San Lorenzo in the Libertadores third qualifying round, winning 3-1 in Buenos Aires and drawing 2-2 at the Mané Garrincha in Brasília.

They were knocked out of the 2021 Libertadores groups after finishing third, topped their 2022 Sudamericana group then fell in the last 16 to Deportivo Táchira, and failed to escape the 2023 Sudamericana groups. Relegation to Série B in 2023 left them out of international competitions in 2024 and 2025.

Back on the continental stage in 2026, they finished second in their Sudamericana group, which sent them to the playoffs. Cuca’s side then beat Universidad Central 4-1 in Venezuela and 4-2 at Vila Belmiro to advance.

Counting only post-group knockouts, the drought was longer still. Their last advancement had been in January 2021, when they eliminated Boca Juniors in the Libertadores semi-final after a 0-0 draw at La Bombonera and a 3-0 win at Vila Belmiro.

In the Sudamericana itself, Santos had not previously won a knockout tie since 2006, when they removed Cruzeiro in the Brazilian phase before falling to San Lorenzo. Later exits included 2010 to Avaí and 2019 to River Plate of Uruguay. Santos now face Macará of Ecuador in the last 16.

Source: Diario Do Peixe