Spanish newspaper AS has praised Neymar for his decisive impact after coming off the bench in Santos' 4-2 Copa Sudamericana victory over Venezuela's Universidad Central on July 28, 2026.
The win secured Santos' spot in the round of 16.
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Rested in the first half following a week marked by internal squad tensions, the forward entered after halftime with the score tied 1-1.
According to AS, his offensive presence elevated the team's level as he dictated transitions and created crucial space.
The media outlet noted that Neymar moved past recent controversy regarding teammate criticism during a previous match against Chapecoense.
AS reported that the star appeared engaged and committed to making his teammates shine when the team needed a convincing performance.
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Next Challenges for Santos
Santos will face Ecuadorian side Macará in the round of 16.
While AS considers the Brazilian team favorites, the outlet highlighted challenges regarding Ambato's altitude of over 2,500 meters and the club's seasonal inconsistency.
Following their international qualification, Santos turns its focus to the Copa do Brasil.
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The team faces Remo in a two-legged fixture on August 1 and August 4 at Vila Belmiro and Mangueirão to determine who advances to the quarterfinals.
