Santos vs Cruzeiro

Santos made it three wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro, dominating the first half and holding on after a nervy late finish. The hosts controlled possession and territory from the start, and debutant Everton Cebolinha was involved in the opening breakthrough. Benjamín Rollheiser put Santos ahead in the 28th minute, tucking home a rebound after Cebolinha's shot was parried. Five minutes later, Cruzeiro defender Fabrício Bruno turned the ball into his own net trying to clear, doubling the hosts' lead before the break. Cruzeiro pulled one back deep into first-half stoppage time through Matheus Pereira, but goalkeeper Otávio was otherwise busy keeping the scoreline respectable, and no cards marred the contest. The result lifts Santos up to 10th place and keeps their momentum rolling as they chase a Libertadores spot next season. Cruzeiro suffered a second straight away defeat but remain comfortably in 6th on 42 points, still on course for a direct Libertadores berth if they finish in the top four.