The victory over Ceará was the first three points for Peixe in their last three games. It was an opposite reflection for Vozão as their three-game winning streak came to an end.
The highlight of the game was the number of red cards dished out on the evening. Four players (two from each club) plus Ceará coach Guto Ferreira were all shown their marching orders.
Santos saw less of the ball on the evening but took their chance early enough and it proved to be decision. Just after nine minutes, Felipe Jonatan opened the scoring against his former side where he started his career. As a show of respect, he chose not to celebrate against Vozão.
Ceará saw more than 60% of the ball in the first half but some good defending and luck kept Santos in the lead going into half time.
Second half resumed in similar fashion with Ceará going all out to grab their equalizer. For all of their possession, they struggled once again to create goal-scoring chances. However, things got heated up in the final ten minutes.
Samuel Xavier and Luan Peres were set off after an altercation between both players. Nine minutes later, Bruno Pachecho also got sent off and Alisson completed the fourth red card of the game as he was sent off in the 93rd minute.
With the victory, Santos rose to 11 points and finished Saturday in seventh place, one place above Ceará on ten points. However, both teams could lose their positions by the end of the round on Sunday.
Santos return to the pitch on Wednesday and will face a tough game against Atletico-MG. Ceará play their next match the next day against current leaders Internacional.
