Introduction – Santos x Vitória
The Santos-Vitória match, played at Vila Belmiro on October 20, 2025, had a historic outcome: a 1-0 victory for the Bahian red-and-black team, with Matheuzinho scoring from a penalty kick.
More than just a simple match in the 29th round, this match symbolized the end of a taboo and rekindled hopes in the fight against relegation. Vitória won its first away win against Santos in the Brasileirão.
From the opening whistle, Santos sought to impose their home game, while Vitória adopted a compact and controlled posture, waiting for the right moment to attack. The visiting team’s strategy paid off, and the team came away with all three points, ending Santos’ unbeaten home streak and causing a stir at the São Paulo club.
This victory carries both symbolic and practical weight. For Vitória, it represents a breath of fresh air in the race to survive; for Santos, it’s another dangerous retreat into the zones of instability. Jair Ventura’s team demonstrated tactical maturity and was able to withstand the opposing pressure, while Santos demonstrated weaknesses that had been evident in other matches.
Pre-match Context – Club Situation
Santos: pressure, expectations and weaknesses
Before the match, Santos was in a difficult phase. They needed a home win to ease the pressure from their fans and move away from the relegation zone. However, the team had been dominating statistically in several matches but lacking offensive efficiency. The reliance on full-backs and limited penetration demonstrated a limited repertoire.
Furthermore, the defense was showing signs of wear and tear. In recent matches, Santos had conceded goals at decisive moments, a pattern that repeated itself in this match. The anxiety of delivering a positive result may have weighed on the team’s performance, which lacked fluidity and depth in the attack.
Victory: urgency, organization and momentum
Vitória entered the game under intense pressure, but with tactical conviction and newfound momentum. They needed to react and earn points away from home—a rare occurrence against strong opponents. They had been inconsistent throughout the season, but in recent matches they had demonstrated a spirit of resilience.
Jair Ventura had to build his team considering adversity, but he maintained a clear strategy: close down spaces, counterattack, and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. The team had won three of its last four games, giving the group room to believe in a comeback.
It was a game of opposing lives: a melancholic Santos on the brink of danger and a Vitória seeking redemption far from its domains.
First Half – Tension, Variations and Decisive Penalty
Santos started with opening runs down the wings, high pressure, and quick passing. They tried to create internal imbalances, using wingbacks and infiltrations. Some plays posed risks to the opposing goalkeeper, but without success.
Vitória, in turn, responded with good defensive positioning and quick exits. Renzo López, Aitor, and Baralhas appeared at different moments, demanding attention from Santos’ defense. The visiting team’s strategy was patient: withstand the initial dominance and look for the right moment.
In the 39th minute, the game changed. Aitor made a good run down the byline and crossed. Renzo López made contact with goalkeeper Brazão inside the box, and after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Vitória. Matheuzinho coolly converted from the middle of the goal.
This moment changed the course of the match. Santos, with the advantage over their opponents, had to accelerate their offensive plan in the final minutes of the first half, but were unable to reverse the partial scoreline.
Second Half – Pressure, resistance and Santos blackout
After halftime, Santos came back even more aggressive. They tried to engage Vitória with intensity: infiltrating, passing, and crossing into the box. The goal was a quick equalizer, especially at home.
However, the visiting defense showed solidity. Lucas Arcanjo had solid performances, fending off attacks and winning one-on-ones. The back line—featuring players like Lucas Halter, Edu, Zé Marcos, and Raúl Cáceres—maintained good positioning and prevented infiltrations.
Santos pressed, but failed to make the final pass, finish, or stumble against the opposing defense. The wear and tear was evident: lack of rhythm, difficulty articulating, and physical and emotional fatigue.
As time ticked down, Vitória dropped back and tried to control the game with solid passing and avoid overexposing themselves. Even without attacking frequently, they maintained a compact stance and didn’t give Peixe any clear-cut chances. The final whistle confirmed it: 1-0, a hard-fought Vitória, but with justice for those who knew how to be pragmatic.
Tactical Analysis – Vitória wins with efficiency and preparation
In the Santos-Vitória match, Vitória prevailed through consistency and accurate reading of the game. They adjusted to a formation that varied between 5-2-3 and 5-3-2, prioritizing defensive solidity, zonal marking, and vertical transitions. The compactness between the lines hampered Santos’ coordination.
Santos attempted a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, dominating the ball and switching midfield. However, the midfield and attack lacked quality connection. The team had abundant possession but little depth. Their finishing was ineffective.
The penalty was decisive: the referee, after reviewing VAR, overturned a penalty in favor of Santos and confirmed another in favor of Vitória. Video interference was a significant factor in the outcome.
Finally, Vitória was able to exploit Santos’ weaknesses on the wings and in transitions. When Santos pushed their lines forward, they were vulnerable. Vitória prevailed through consistency: few risks, emotional control, and accurate capitalization of the opportunities they had.
Statistics – Santos x Vitória 2025
| Metric | Santos | Victory |
|---|---|---|
| Total completions | 14 | 10 |
| Finishes on target | 4 | 2 |
| Corners | 3 | 3 |
| Defenses made | 1 | 4 |
| Ball possession | 73% | 27% |
| Goals | 0 | 1 (Matheuzinho, penalty) |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 1.04 | 2.06 |
This data clearly shows the contrast: Santos dominated possession, but produced little; Vitória was efficient, converted the clear chance and held on to the result.
Updated Standings for the 2025 Brasileirão (after the 29th round)
| Position | Team | Games | Victories | Draws | Defeats | Pro Goals | Own Goals | Balance | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | Botafogo | 29 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 46 |
| 16th | Santos | 28 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 39 | –11 | 31 |
| 17th | Victory | 28 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 26 | 43 | –17 | 31 |
- Santos and Vitória are tied on 31 points, but Santos has the advantage in terms of victories.
- Botafogo, with 46 points, occupies a comfortable position and is well placed in the fight for higher spots.
- Santos’ defeat increases the probability of relegation: this projection, according to UFMG, jumped from around 13.9% to around 34.8% after the setback.
Conclusion – Santos x Vitória: “a taboo victory, relief and warning”
The Santos-Vitória match showed that, in football, dominating isn’t enough: you have to be lethal. Vitória knew how to wait, hold out, and kill the chances they had. Santos, despite overwhelming possession, lost due to their own limitations: offensive efficiency, defensive flaws, and a lack of tactical adaptation.
This result reinstates Vitória in the fight for survival, boosts team morale, and could serve as a boost for the final rounds. For Santos, it’s an alarming moment: they need to react quickly before the relegation zone becomes a reality.
FAQs – Frequently asked questions about Santos x Vitória 2025
- Who scored the goal in Santos vs. Vitória?
Matheuzinho converted a penalty in the 39th minute of the first half. - Was this Vitória’s first away win against Santos?
Yes — Vitória won for the first time at Vila Belmiro in Serie A. - How did the refereeing influence the result?
After a VAR review, a penalty in Santos’ favor was disallowed, and another in Vitória’s favor was confirmed—the latter was converted. - What does this triumph mean for Vitória?
It reinforces the fight for survival, breaks taboos, and gives the team a psychological boost. - Why couldn’t Santos win?
Despite dominating possession, they lacked offensive depth, effective finishing, and defensive solidity. - What impact did this game have on the table?
Santos and Vitória are tied on points (31), but Santos is ahead on wins; Botafogo remains better positioned with 46 points. - Who is Vitória’s next opponent?
Vitória faces Corinthians at Barradão in the next round. - Who were the standouts?
Matheuzinho, Lucas Arcanjo, and Vitória’s defense. At Santos, Brazão was criticized for committing a penalty.
