Santos maintains good form, defeats São Paulo at the Morumbi, securing a spot in the Paulistão quarter-finals. The Tricolor suffered its second consecutive defeat, raising an alarm.
The match was marked by VAR’s intervention at crucial moments. First, in favor of Santos with a penalty call, and later in disallowing São Paulo’s goal.
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São Paulo 0x1 Santos
Playing at home, the Tricolor sought to dominate the match. They pressed high but were ineffective, facing strong defense from Santos.
São Paulo created chances with shots from medium range. At the 27th minute, Pablo Maia passed to Galoppo who shot from outside the box, easily saved by João Paulo.
At the 30th minute, Bobadilla crossed into the box and Calleri headed over the goal.
At the 32nd minute, Santos had their first dangerous opportunity. Diego Pituca passed to Guilherme, who entered the box and shot strongly, Rafael saved, and the defense cleared.
At the 34th minute, Otero’s dangerous free-kick was deflected by João Schmidt over the goal.
At the 35th minute, Wellington got the ball, moved right, but shot wide.
At the 47th minute, Wellington advanced centrally and provided a beautiful pass to Luciano. The striker calmly faced the goalkeeper, shot across, and scored. However, the assistant referee raised the flag, and the goal was disallowed due to Luciano’s offside position.
Foto: Marcos Ribolli
In the second half, the game intensified with more chances for both teams.
At the 8th minute, Otero crossed from inside the box, the ball fell to Guilherme in the small area. He shot, but Arboleda appeared to save São Paulo.
At the 15th minute, VAR intervened for the first time. Hayner passed quickly to Otero, who was fouled by Wellington inside the box. After VAR consultation, a penalty was awarded to Santos. Alfredo Morelos confidently took the penalty and scored his first goal for Santos.
Photo: @RaulBaretta_Photo / Santos FC
At the 31st minute, Calleri contested with Joaquim in the box, and the ball fell to Juan, whose shot was saved by João Paulo.
At the 34th minute, Wellington’s powerful shot from the left was saved for a corner by João Paulo.
At the 42nd minute, São Paulo executed a good play on the left, and Wellington crossed into the box. Erick controlled and scored. However, after much celebration, VAR intervened again, and the goal was disallowed for handball by Erick before the finish.
Photo: RONALDO BARRETO/THENEWS2/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
At the 49th minute, Marcelinho played a beautiful one-two with Morelos and passed to Diego Pituca at the edge of the box, whose shot went wide.
At the 51st minute, Juan missed an unbelievable chance. Bobadilla crossed into the box, and Juan found himself alone in the small area. He headed downwards, but the ball bounced over the goal.
With the victory, Santos secured a spot in the quarter-finals and returned to the knockout stage of Paulistão, a feat not achieved since 2020. Santos has 19 points and leads the championship overall.
São Paulo, on the other hand, despite an impressive start to the year, suffered its second consecutive defeat. Although occupying the top spot in their group, only 1 point separates them from Novorizontino (2nd place) and São Bernardo (3rd place).
Written by Henry Miller.
