Palmeiras vs Santos

Palmeiras made a statement in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, beating Santos 3-0 at Nubank Parque in front of over 40,000 fans. The hosts dominated from start to finish, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb in the return leg. The breakthrough came from Marlon Freitas, before Jhon Arias doubled the lead and Flaco López added the third late on, sealing a comfortable night for the hosts. Adding to Santos's misery, Neymar was left out entirely, unable to travel due to restrictions on the artificial turf at the venue. The result puts Palmeiras firmly in control ahead of the second leg at Vila Belmiro on September 2nd, needing only to avoid a heavy defeat to reach the semifinals. For Santos, already struggling domestically under Cuca, it's a brutal blow in the clubs' first Copa do Brasil meeting since the 2015 final.