Neymar stuns Flamengo and shakes up the title race | OneFootball

Flamengo’s unbeaten run in the Brasileirão hit a speed bump with a 1-0 defeat to Santos at Vila Belmiro, as reported by Lance. The match, contested on Wednesday in the 14th round of the league, saw Neymar deliver the decisive blow for the hosts with a moment of individual quality late in the second half.

For Flamengo, this result ended a run that left them with 27 points and exposed their position at the summit—opening the door for Cruzeiro to potentially take top spot. Santos, meanwhile, climbed to 14th on 14 points thanks to this vital win.

The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. Guilherme found Neymar inside the six-yard box. The Santos No. 10 navigated a crowded penalty area, first slipping by Léo Pereira before dribbling past Varela and finishing clinically across goalkeeper Rossi. The sequence showcased Neymar’s signature composure and technical skill, highlighting why he remains an ever-present threat for opposition defenders.

During the broadcast, commentator Gustavo Villani described Neymar’s goal as “um golaço,” reflecting its quality and significance. Addressing criticism for the enthusiastic call, Villani pointed to the difficulty of the move—Neymar’s ability to find space and score as captain, against the league leaders, with only 26% possession at that point—defending his characterization and underlining just how special the moment felt in context, according to Lance.

From Flamengo’s perspective, frustration stemmed from failing to contain Neymar, who had been the liveliest player for Santos throughout the match. Defensive lapses in the closing stages cost Filipe Luís’s side, who had otherwise weathered periods of pressure and looked to have salvaged at least a point. Their lead in the title race now looks less secure, and the defeat could add pressure ahead of upcoming fixtures, both in terms of results and squad confidence.

Across Brazilian football, the result emphasized the unpredictable nature of the league this season, where even a team with limited possession like Santos can upset a table-topper if they make the most of their attacking moments. For Flamengo, the road ahead will require recalibrating defensively while sustaining their ambitions at the top end of the competition.

(Sources: Lance)