CONMEBOL Sudamericana
Gabigol stars as Santos scrapes into play-off
Gabriel Barbosa produced a star turn to help guide Santos to a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca that lifted the Brazilian club from last to second in Copa Sudamericana Group D on a dramatic final matchday of the group stage.… Show More
Gabriel Barbosa produced a star turn to help guide Santos to a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca that lifted the Brazilian club from last to second in Copa Sudamericana Group D on a dramatic final matchday of the group stage.
With absent star Neymar watching from the stands, alongside Santos alumni and fellow Brazil World Cup selection Rodrygo, Santos produced its strongest performance of the tournament so far to sneak into the knockout play-off rounds as group runner-up.
The Brazilian club had flattered to deceive in its previous five matches, drawing four and losing one. But a similar run of results across the group gave Santos a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds on an all-or-nothing final day.
Elsewhere in the group, Recoleta's stunning upset of San Lorenzo pushed the Argentinian club from first into third in one of the big shocks of the round.
