In a match that appeared to be slipping away before the interval, Neymar changed the temperature after the break. Introduced with Santos two goals down against Flamengo, he struck twice from the penalty spot in five late minutes to secure a 2-2 draw.
Neymar rescues Santos against Flamengo
- Flamengo took control shortly before half-time through Danilo, formerly of Juventus, who scored in the 44th minute.
- Lucas Paqueta, the former Lyon midfielder, doubled the league leaders’ advantage in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 49th minute.
- Santos sent on Neymar at the start of the second half, with Philippe Coutinho making way in the 46th minute.
- Neymar was booked for unsporting conduct in the 53rd minute, but remained central to Santos’ late push.
- The first penalty arrived after Neymar pressed alongside a team-mate and Jorginho handled the ball while on the ground. The former Chelsea midfielder was sent off for the offence.
- Neymar converted in the 82nd minute, using a measured six-step approach before placing his effort to the right of Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.
- Five minutes later, Neymar played a role in a free-kick move which ended with Gabriel Barbosa going down after a slight challenge from Bruno Henrique.
- He took the second spot-kick in almost identical fashion, again sending Rossi the wrong way to make it 2-2 in the 87th minute.
Title race tightens
The draw keeps Flamengo at the top of the championship, although their advantage over Palmeiras has been cut to one point after Palmeiras beat Bahia 1-0 later in the evening.
Santos, lifted by Neymar’s late double, remain eighth in the table.
