Neymar scores but Santos held 1-1 by Recoleta in Copa Sudamericana

Key facts

• Santos drew 1-1 with Deportivo Recoleta in Asunción on May 5, 2026.
• Neymar scored in the first half after an assist from Rollheiser.
• Gabriel Barbosa missed an open goal early in the match.
• Santos are bottom of Group D with 2 points from 4 matches.
• Recoleta remain winless in the group with 3 draws from 4 games.
• Santos have gone 9 matches without an away win across all competitions.
• Neymar and Robinho Jr. had a physical altercation in training on May 3.
• Neymar and Lucas Veríssimo argued during a hydration break in the match.

A point that helps neither side

Santos and Deportivo Recoleta played out a 1-1 draw in Asunción on Tuesday, a result that leaves both teams still searching for their first win in Copa Sudamericana Group D. For Santos, the point does little to ease the pressure: they remain bottom of the group with just two points from four matches, while Recoleta, with three draws, sit third with three points. The match, played at a tense pace, saw Neymar open the scoring in the final minutes of the first half after a precise assist from Rollheiser. But Santos could not hold the lead, and the Paraguayan side equalised after the break, leaving the Brazilian team still without a victory in the competition.

Neymar's return and a costly miss

Neymar, back in the starting lineup after missing the derby against Palmeiras in the Brasileirão, was Santos' most dangerous player. Early in the match, he had a chance to score but was denied by an unlikely obstacle: his own teammate Gabriel Barbosa, who missed an open goal from point-blank range with no goalkeeper to beat. The miss proved costly as Santos failed to build a comfortable lead. Despite the setback, Neymar continued to drive the attack. He struck the post with a brilliant free kick and forced a spectacular save from the Recoleta goalkeeper later in the second half. Yet Santos' inability to convert chances into goals has become a recurring theme under manager Cuca.

Internal tensions boil over

The match was not without controversy off the ball. During the hydration break in the second half, Neymar and defender Lucas Veríssimo were seen arguing, requiring coach Cuca to intervene and calm the situation. The incident added to a growing list of internal frictions within the Santos squad. Earlier in the week, Neymar was involved in a physical altercation with Robinho Jr. during training on Sunday, May 3. The clash, which reportedly involved a slap, was a continuation of a strained relationship between the two players. During his goal celebration, Neymar hugged Robinho Jr. and gave him a light slap on the face, a gesture the club described as an attempt to "make peace."

Group D standings and qualification stakes

With three rounds remaining, Santos' qualification hopes hang in the balance. Only the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage. Santos have two points from four matches, while Recoleta have three. Both sides trail the group leaders, making Tuesday's result a missed opportunity for each. Santos have now gone five matches without a win across all competitions, and their away form is particularly alarming: a nine-match winless run on the road. Manager Cuca faces the challenge of reversing a trend in which his team dominates possession but lacks cutting edge in the final third, a problem that was evident against San Lorenzo and again against Recoleta.

Recoleta's defensive resilience

Deportivo Recoleta, under coach Jorge Gonzalez, have built their campaign on defensive organisation. They have drawn all three of their group matches — 1-1 against San Lorenzo, 1-1 against Santos, and 0-0 against Deportivo Cuenca — but have struggled to create chances. In their most recent outing against Cuenca, they created little after the break and posed almost no threat. Domestically, Recoleta sit eighth in the Division Professional with 25 points and a positive goal difference. Their inconsistency in the league has made the continental campaign a priority, and home support in Asunción offered them a chance to turn a draw into a win. Yet their attacking inefficiency remains a concern as they seek their first victory in the group.

What comes next for Santos

Santos must now regroup quickly. With three matches left, a top-two finish is still mathematically possible, but it requires a level of consistency the team has not yet shown. The internal discord between key players adds another layer of difficulty for Cuca, who must manage egos while trying to revive a faltering campaign. The Brazilian side's next fixture will be critical. If they fail to secure a win soon, their Copa Sudamericana journey could end in the group stage, a result that would be a major disappointment for a club with the individual talent of Neymar and Gabriel Barbosa. For now, the draw in Paraguay leaves more questions than answers.

The bottom line

• Santos remain winless in the Copa Sudamericana after four matches, with two draws and two losses.
• Neymar's first-half goal was not enough to secure victory, highlighting the team's attacking inefficiency.
• Internal conflicts involving Neymar, Robinho Jr., and Lucas Veríssimo threaten team cohesion.
• Recoleta's defensive solidity has kept them competitive, but their lack of goals limits their progress.
• Santos' nine-match winless away run across all competitions is a major concern for manager Cuca.
• Both teams still have a mathematical chance to qualify, but time is running out.