Introduction – Ceará SC x Santos and the portrait of two opposite phases
The Ceará SC vs. Santos match, played at Castelão in the 27th round of the 2025 Brasileirão, represented a clash between two distinct realities. On one side, Vozão, buoyed by strong home performances and seeking stability in the middle of the table. On the other, Santos was under pressure, inconsistent, and facing criticism after a winless streak.
The 3-0 final score for Ceará not only reflected what happened on the field, but also symbolized the emotional and tactical differences between the teams. With goals from Lucas Mugni, Pedro Henrique, and Fernando Sobral, the Northeastern team demonstrated collective strength, while Peixe once again displayed defensive fragility and a lack of offensive inspiration.
The result had a direct impact on the standings: Ceará moved up positions and gained confidence to fight for a spot in the South American, while Santos remains close to the relegation zone, with the alert on for a tense final stretch of the championship.
Pre-match – Expectations, pressure and context before kick-off
Before the ball even kicked off, the atmosphere was already tense for Santos. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda was under pressure from the fans and management after poor away results. Santos hadn’t won in four matches and desperately needed to score to avoid a deeper crisis.
On the other side, Ceará coach Vagner Mancini treated the match as an opportunity to assert himself. The team had been performing consistently well, but needed to turn that momentum into results. The fans turned out in good numbers, creating a decisive atmosphere at Castelão.
Tactically, Ceará deployed a compact midfield and advanced lines to pressure Santos’s attacking play. Santos, on the other hand, opted for a more cautious formation with three defensive midfielders, attempting to protect their defense—but the plan quickly fell apart.
Furthermore, the recent head-to-head record between the teams favored Vozão: in the last five matches between Ceará SC and Santos, the Ceará team had won three, drawn one, and lost only one. Expectations were for a close match, but what we saw was a clear superiority for the home team.
The Game – Ceará SC x Santos in detail
First Half – Pressure from Vozão and defensive errors from Peixe
From the opening whistle, Ceará displayed an aggressive stance. With high pressure and intensity on the wings, the team forced Santos to misplace possession and completely lost control of the midfield. In the 10th minute, Lucas Mugni opened the scoring after capitalizing on a rebound inside the box, in a move constructed quickly and effectively.
Santos tried to react, but ran into its own disorganization. The midfield, lacking creativity, was unable to supply the attack. The defense, in turn, appeared shaky and spaced. Players like Souza and Furch tried to create momentum, but Ceará was more efficient, especially in the quick transitions led by Erick and Saulo Mineiro.
In the final minutes of the first half, Ceará had chances to extend their lead. Pedro Henrique hit the crossbar, and Fernando Sobral forced a great save from goalkeeper João Paulo. Halftime arrived with the home team deservedly ahead and the fans thrilled by the solid performance.
Second Half – Total dominance and consolidation of the rout
Upon returning for the second half, Santos was expected to rally. However, what we saw was a repeat of the same mistakes: slow transitions, inaccurate passes, and a lack of coordination between the two teams. Ceará, on the other hand, came back even more focused and extended their lead in the 21st minute, with Pedro Henrique finishing off a precise cross from the right.
With the score at 2-0, Ceará managed the game intelligently. Coach Vagner Mancini made timely substitutions to maintain the pace and exploit the opponent’s fatigue. Santos, unable to react, simply watched as their opponent controlled the game.
In the 48th minute, already in stoppage time, Fernando Sobral scored the third goal with a beautiful shot from outside the box, capping off a stellar performance by Vozão. The Castelão erupted in celebration, and Santos left the field to boos from their own fans, who had been supporting the team in small numbers.
Statistics – Ceará SC x Santos in numbers
| Statistic | Ceará SC | Santos |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Total completions | 16 | 7 |
| Finishes on target | 8 | 2 |
| Ball possession | 58% | 42% |
| Right passes | 410 | 315 |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls committed | 14 | 11 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 3 |
| Great chances created | 4 | 1 |
| Finishing accuracy | 50% | 28% |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.9 | 0.6 |
The numbers demonstrate Ceará’s technical and tactical superiority. The team shot more times, completed more passes, and controlled the field. Santos created only one significant chance and spent most of the game defending.
Tactical Analysis – Ceará’s plan and Santos’ collapse
Ceará SC’s success hinged on a balance between intensity and discipline. The Ceará team effectively alternated between pressing and retreating, forcing Santos into mistakes and exploiting the space behind the defensive midfielders. Defensive compactness and quick recovery were essential to neutralizing Santos’ few attacks.
The midfield, led by Richardson and Mugni, was the team’s driving force. They dominated possession, distributed vertical passes, and created scoring opportunities. Up front, Pedro Henrique and Saulo Mineiro were tireless in their movements and constantly pressured the opposing defense.
Santos, on the other hand, presented the same recurring problems. The team couldn’t maintain intensity, gave up space between the lines, and lacked coordination in marking. The attack seemed disconnected, with Furch isolated and lacking effective support. Vojvoda tried to adjust the team in the second half, but the substitutions had no effect.
Repercussion and behind the scenes – Crisis at Santos and relief in Ceará
In the locker room, the mood was the opposite. In Ceará, the squad celebrated the victory enthusiastically. Mancini praised their commitment and emphasized the importance of beating a traditional rival. The board also highlighted the team’s strength and tactical performance.
At Santos, the frustration was evident. Coach Vojvoda acknowledged the poor performance and admitted that the team needed to react immediately. Internally, there was talk of tactical overhauls and even roster changes. Some fans are calling for the departure of some players and demanding more commitment.
With the loss, Santos remains close to the relegation zone and will face a difficult run in the coming rounds. Ceará, meanwhile, is gaining confidence and is aiming for a run to fight for higher positions.
Conclusion – Ceará on the rise, Santos in collapse
The Ceará SC vs. Santos matchup made it clear who’s on the rise and who’s struggling with their own mistakes. Ceará was efficient, organized, and intense, fully deserving of the result. Santos, however, once again apathetic, showed it needs to react urgently to avoid sinking into crisis.
Vozão celebrates a symbolic and strategic victory, which puts them in a comfortable position in the standings. Santos, on the other hand, needs structural changes—on and off the field—if they want to remain among the elite of Brazilian football.
FAQs – Ceará SC x Santos
1. What was the result of Ceará SC vs Santos?
Ceará beat Santos 3-0 at Castelão, in a match valid for the 27th round of the 2025 Brasileirão.
2. Who scored Ceará’s goals?
The goals were scored by Lucas Mugni, Pedro Henrique, and Fernando Sobral.
3. How was Santos’ performance?
Santos had a poor performance, with many defensive errors and little attacking creativity.
4. Does this result change anything in the table?
Yes. Ceará moves up positions and away from the relegation zone, while Santos remains in a precarious situation, close to the relegation zone.
5. Who was the standout performer?
Fernando Sobral and Lucas Mugni were Ceará’s standout performers, dominating the midfield and contributing directly to the goals.
6. What does Santos need to do to react?
Reorganize the defense, improve the offensive transition, and restore the squad’s confidence.
