Neymar was back on target in an official match four months later. The star, with a sublime move inside the box, scored the goal as Santos beat Flamengo 1-0 and allowed the ‘Peixe’ to climb to thirteenth place in the Brasileirao.
After four consecutive games without a win at home in the Copa Brasil and Brasileirao, Santos gave their fans a hard-fought and agonising 1-0 victory over Flamengo, one of the local giants and favourites for both the Brasileirao and the Copa Libertadores.
The win came in the 84th minute courtesy of Neymar, who had not scored in an official match since 3rd March, when he netted against Red Bull Bragantino in the Paulista.
The Mogi das Cruzes star, who a few days ago had scored from the penalty spot in a friendly against Desportiva Ferroviaria, came on late on to give the Peixe all three points in an action more typical of a No 9, making it clear that he can also be decisive in that position.
Neymar received a ball at the penalty spot. With a great, swerving control, he dribbled past a first defender, rounded a second defender who came to his aid and, with his right foot, finished with a hard, low shot past the Flamengo goalkeeper.
A vital and necessary goal that both Neymar and the ‘Peixe’ fans celebrated in style. With the win, Santos now lie thirteenth in the table with 14 points, just two points off the Copa Sudamericana places and six points off the Copa Libertadores 2026 places.