Gabigol wastes a clear goal-scoring opportunity right on the goal line during the goalless draw between Santos and Remo in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16.
Gabigol‘s stint at Santos continues to be surrounded by high expectations and tense moments. In the first leg of the Copa do Brasil Round of 16, held last Saturday (01) at Vila Belmiro, the striker was at the center of a play that drew significant attention from fans.
The player, who has a storied history with Flamengo, produced an unbelievable finish that could have given the “Peixe” the lead against Remo.
The play occurred 30 minutes into the first half. Following a corner kick taken by Neymar, defender Lucas Veríssimo headed the ball toward the goal, leaving it hovering right on the goal line.
Gabigol, well-positioned, attempted to tap the ball into the back of the net but mistimed his effort, squandering a golden opportunity to open the scoring in front of the home crowd.
Tension in the race for qualification
Despite the pressure from Santos, the match ended in a 0-0 draw. The lack of clinical finishing proved costly, as the result leaves the series wide open for the return leg.
The teams will face each other again next Tuesday (04) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at the Mangueirão Stadium in Belém. The winner of the clash secures a direct spot in the quarterfinals, while another draw will send the match to a penalty shootout.
Gabigol’s season performance
Despite this specific miss, the striker’s form at the club remains impressive. In 30 matches played during the 2026 season, he has recorded 15 goals and seven assists.
Currently, fans are eagerly awaiting a milestone: Gabigol is just one goal away from reaching the century mark for Santos, the club where he began his professional career.
The athlete’s performance continues to be closely monitored by the Equipe M360, which tracks the steps of idols who once starred for the “Manto Sagrado.”
The expectation now is whether the forward can shake off the bad luck and find the back of the net in the decisive match in Belém, securing the São Paulo side’s qualification in the national tournament.
Equipe M360
