Neymar scores on return but Santos drop points in 1–1 draw

Santos were held to a 1–1 draw by Deportivo Recoleta in Neymar’s first South American appearance for the club in fourteen years, a result that further complicates their Conmebol Sudamericana Group D campaign. The Brazilian side struck early at Vila Belmiro, with Gabigol racing down the left before delivering a precise cross that Neymar converted for his one hundred fifty‑fourth Santos goal. Despite dominating the first half, Santos wasted several clear chances against a rotated Recoleta team making their tournament debut.

The visitors levelled in stoppage time when Luan Peres conceded a penalty, calmly dispatched by Richart Ortiz. A cagey second half produced no breakthrough. Neymar, absent from the opening group match, last featured internationally for Santos in the 2012 Copa Libertadores before departing for Europe. The draw leaves Santos bottom of the group, heightening the stakes ahead of their crucial trip to Argentina to face San Lorenzo on April twenty‑eight.