Neymar scored twice from the penalty spot on his return from injury as Santos fought back from two goals down to secure a 2–2 draw against Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A. The forward, who had been sidelined with a right-thigh injury since 2 September, came on at half-time and struck in the 82nd and 88th minutes to rescue a point for the hosts at Vila Belmiro.
The result ended the winning streaks of both clubs. Santos had won seven consecutive matches before the encounter, while Flamengo had recorded five successive victories. Flamengo appeared to be heading towards another win after establishing a commanding first-half lead, but Neymar’s late intervention changed the course of the contest.
Neymar was not included in Santos’ starting line-up because of concerns about his match fitness following his injury lay-off. Head coach Cuca introduced him at the beginning of the second half, replacing Philippe Coutinho, with Flamengo already 2–0 ahead.
The visitors took the lead in the 43rd minute through Danilo before Lucas Paquetá doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Flamengo looked comfortable with their two-goal cushion, while Santos struggled to create clear scoring opportunities despite their efforts to get back into the match.
The turning point came when Flamengo midfielder Jorginho handled the ball inside his own penalty area. Following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee awarded Santos a penalty and sent Jorginho off. Flamengo were consequently reduced to 10 players, giving the hosts a numerical advantage during the closing stages.
The VAR review lasted nine minutes and 56 seconds before Neymar could take the spot-kick. According to the original match report, this was the longest interruption caused by a VAR review since the technology was introduced in the Brazilian championship in 2019.
Neymar converted the penalty to reduce the deficit and revive Santos’ hopes. With an extra player on the pitch, the hosts intensified their attacks and put Flamengo’s defence under increasing pressure.
Their persistence paid off just four minutes later. Flamengo winger Luiz Araújo fouled Santos forward Gabriel Barbosa inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a second penalty. Neymar stepped up again and converted with his right foot, bringing the score to 2–2.
The two goals completed a remarkable comeback for Santos. Flamengo had controlled much of the first half, but Jorginho’s dismissal and the two penalties proved decisive. Neither side managed to score again before the final whistle, leaving both teams to settle for a point.
Despite his match-winning contribution, Neymar was cautious about using his right foot throughout the game. Having only recently recovered from the injury, he avoided actions that could place unnecessary strain on the affected leg. He did not take corners with his right foot and used his left for free-kicks, while also avoiding the risk of attempting long passes with his injured leg.
Speaking after the match, Neymar explained his approach: “Because I am returning from injury, I did not want to take the risk of playing long passes with my right foot.”
His comments highlighted the care he is taking as he works towards full match fitness. Although he was prepared to use his right foot for both penalties, he remained cautious in other situations. Scoring twice on his return was an encouraging sign, but his priority will be to regain his fitness without aggravating the injury.
Neymar was also involved in heated exchanges during the match. He argued with Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paquetá and received a yellow card after an exchange with the referee approximately 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute. The incidents added to the tension of an already competitive encounter, although his goals ultimately proved far more consequential.
Reflecting on the quality of the contest, Neymar praised both teams for their attacking approach.
“It was a great result. It was a great match for both teams, with each side attacking the other from beginning to end. I think these are the two best teams in Brazil,” he said.
The draw leaves Flamengo at the top of the Brazilian Serie A standings with 61 points from 29 matches. Santos, meanwhile, have collected 42 points from the same number of games and sit eighth.
For Flamengo, surrendering a two-goal advantage will be disappointing, particularly after the team had controlled the first half. The result brought their five-match winning run to an end, although they remain at the summit of the league table.
Santos will take encouragement from their resilience. Their immediate objective is to qualify for next year’s Copa Libertadores, South America’s leading club competition, and the point earned against the league leaders could prove important in that pursuit.
For Neymar, the match marked a promising return to competitive football. His two penalties demonstrated his composure under pressure and his ability to influence an important contest, even while managing his physical condition. Santos may not have secured all three points, but their comeback ensured that their star forward’s return ended on a positive note.
