Santos FC ended a three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Red Bull Bragantino on Sunday after Neymar opened the scoring in the first-half stoppage time.
Santos entered the match after two draws and one defeat. They controlled possession for long periods at home and carried more threat in attack. Neymar’s side held 57 per cent of the ball and produced 10 shots, with three on target.
Bragantino spent much of the match without sustained possession. The visitors managed eight attempts but struggled to create clear openings against Santos’ back line.
Neymar broke the deadlock just before the interval. Gabriel Bontempo slipped a pass into the area and Neymar finished cleanly to give Santos a 1-0 lead at the break.
Santos kept control during the second half and doubled the advantage in the 76th minute through Adonis Frias. The hosts closed the match without major pressure and secured their first win in four outings.
The result lifted Santos to 15th place in the league table with 18 points from 15 matches. Bragantino stayed seventh on 20 points from the same number of games. Palmeiras lead the standings with 34 points from 15 matches.
