Santos vs Vasco Da Gama Player Ratings: Neymar 9/10 MOTM as Peixe Beat Vasco in 2-1 Thriller

What a game we just witnessed at the Estádio Urbano Caldeira. Santos managed to edge out Vasco da Gama in a tense 2-1 victory. This Serie A clash was defined by moments of individual brilliance and one costly mistake. It was a match that had us on the edge of our seats.

The undeniable star of the show was Neymar. He was simply on another level, bagging both goals for the home side. His first goal in the 25th minute really set the tone for the rest of the match. He was a constant headache for the opposition's defense throughout the game.

Vasco da Gama showed immense character and fought back valiantly. They had their chances and even pulled one back through a goal from Cauan Barros. However, a crucial defensive error from Paulo Henrique, which led directly to a goal, proved to be their undoing. It was a moment that completely shifted the momentum and ultimately cost them at least a point. Here are Sportsdunia's Santos vs Vasco da Gama player ratings.

Santos Player Ratings vs Vasco da Gama

Here are the Santos player ratings against Vasco da Gama.

Goalkeeper

Gabriel Brazão - 6.0: A relatively quiet evening for the Santos keeper. He conceded once but could do little about the goal. He made one crucial save inside the box but was largely a spectator as his team controlled long periods of the game. A steady, if untested, performance.

Defenders

Adonis Frías - 7.5: What stood out to us was his commanding presence at the back. With six clearances and three blocked shots, he was a wall. He read the game beautifully and seemed to be in the right place at the right time to snuff out danger. A very impressive defensive showing.

Igor Vinícius - 7.0: A bundle of energy on the right flank. His four interceptions highlighted his defensive awareness and anticipation. He also contributed to the attack, creating a chance and showing a good balance between his duties. A solid all-around game.

Luan Peres - 6.5: A tidy and efficient performance from Peres. He kept his passing simple and accurate, helping build from the back. He wasn't as dominant as his partner Frías but he did his job without any major errors. A reliable, no-frills display.

Vinicius Lira - 6.5: He had a busy night, engaging in 15 duels. While he won a decent number of them, he was also dribbled past, showing some vulnerability. He made some important clearances but looked a bit stretched at times. An average outing for him.

Midfielders

Willian Arão - 6.5: Provided a solid foundation in midfield before he was substituted. His passing was reliable, and he helped his team maintain possession. He didn't offer a lot going forward but his defensive work was important. He did what was asked of him.

Moisés - 6.0: A frustrating performance to watch. He gets credit for providing an assist, a moment of quality. However, an error that led to a shot and being dribbled past three times really brings his rating down. The inconsistency was maddening.

Gabriel Bontempo - 6.0: He worked hard but struggled to leave his mark on the game. We noticed he was bypassed a bit too easily in midfield, being dribbled past three times. He made a few interceptions but was mostly on the periphery of the main action.

Miguelito - 6.0: Came on for the second half and was combative in the middle of the park. He won most of his duels and put in a few tackles. He didn't have much time to showcase his attacking abilities but was solid enough. A functional 45 minutes.

Forwards

Neymar - 9.0: Unplayable. There's no other word for it. He was the highest-rated player for a reason. Two goals, constant danger, and he drew five fouls because Vasco simply couldn't handle him. He was the single biggest difference between the two teams. An absolutely masterful performance.

Thaciano - 6.5: From our perspective, his work rate was phenomenal. He battled for every ball and won a surprising number of aerial duels. However, his composure in front of goal was lacking. He missed a big chance that could have made the scoreline more comfortable.

Manager

J. Vojvoda - 7.5: A win is a win, and his tactics worked. He set his team up to allow their superstar, Neymar, to be the difference-maker, and it paid off handsomely. The defense looked organized for the most part, and he got the three points. A successful night at the office.

Vasco da Gama Player Ratings vs Santos

Check out the Vasco da Gama player ratings for the Santos vs Vasco da Gama Brazilian Serie A match.

Goalkeeper

Léo Jardim - 5.5: A tough night for the captain. He faced two goals from the sensational Neymar and could do little about either finish. With only one save made, it felt like he was left exposed by his defense. Not a performance he will want to remember.

Defenders

Robert Renan - 6.5: He was one of the calmer heads in the Vasco defense. His passing out from the back was progressive and accurate. Defensively, he made some key interceptions and clearances. A decent performance in a losing effort.

Lucas Piton - 6.0: He created a good chance early on, but his influence waned as the game progressed. He was subbed off after 70 minutes, having put in a decent but unremarkable shift. He didn't make any glaring errors but didn't change the game either.

Alan Saldivia - 5.5: We felt he struggled with the pace and movement of the Santos attack. While he was strong in the air, he was less convincing on the ground, committing four fouls. It was a challenging evening for the defender.

Paulo Henrique - 4.5: This was a painful one. Despite some impressive stats like winning 12 duels, his game will be remembered for the critical error that led to a goal. That one mistake was so costly that it overshadowed any good work he did. A harsh lesson for the defender.

Midfielders

Thiago Mendes - 7.0: A very good performance in the heart of midfield. His passing was crisp and he even created a big chance for his team. He was combative, though the yellow card was a slight blot on his copybook. One of Vasco's better players on the night.

Andrés Gómez - 7.5: Vasco's shining light in attack. The man was a dribbling machine, completing seven of them. He provided the assist for their goal and was a constant source of creativity and danger. He deserved more from this game.

Johan Rojas - 7.0: The creative hub for his side. Four key passes is a testament to his vision and ability to unlock a defense. It was a shame his forwards couldn't convert the chances he created. He can hold his head high after that display.

Cauan Barros - 7.5: Scored a well-deserved goal to cap a fantastic, all-action performance. He was a warrior in midfield, winning duels, drawing fouls, and driving his team forward. His energy was infectious and he left everything out on the pitch.

Nuno Moreira - 6.0: He will be disappointed he didn't convert the big chance that fell his way. His passing was neat and tidy, but he lacked that cutting edge in the final third. A performance that promised more than it delivered.

Forwards

Claudio Spinelli - 5.0: A really difficult game for the striker. He was completely isolated and ineffective. Being dispossessed five times and losing all of his duels tells the story. He offered no threat and was a passenger for large parts of the match.

Manager

F. Diniz Silva - 6.0: His team showed spirit and his creative midfielders, Gómez and Rojas, caused problems. However, they couldn't contain Neymar and were punished for a single defensive lapse. He'll be frustrated that his team's positive play didn't translate into a result.

Man of the Match

Neymar was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Paulo Henrique was the worst performer.