The game between Santos and Palmeiras ended in a draw at Vila Belmiro on Saturday. With the rain pouring down, VAR was in full show and made some calls that decided the game.
Diego Pituca scored the first goal of the game before Raphael Veiga and Willian overturned the score for Palmeiras in the second half. Marinho then levelled matters in the 71st minute to end the game in a stalemate.
Palmeiras were dominant in the early stages of the game and Emerson Santos had an effort thwarted by John in the 11th minute.
Santos slowly grew into the game after Palmeiras slowed down their early charge. This opened up spaces for Marinho to pounce on. The striker forced two great saves from Weverton before building up the play for the opening goal in the 39th minute. Diego Pituca got on the end of a cross to break the deadlock.
12 minutes into the second half, Palmeiras were gifted a penalty with the help of VAR. Raphael Veiga converted his effort and levelled things. The visitors then turned the game around seven minutes later to go in the lead. Willian met the ball following a corner kick situation to put his side in the lead before he was substituted and replaced by Gabriel Silva.
Marinho had impressed all game and got a deserved goal in the 71st minute to level the scoring for Santos. In the latter stages of the game, Zé Rafael was sent off for a foul on Felipe Jonatan.
With the result, both sides missed out on a chance to enter the top four spots. Santos will take on Grêmio next for the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. Palmeiras also have a quarterfinal clash in the Libertadores against Libertad next week.
