Philippe Coutinho shone with a brilliant double as Vasco da Gama thrashed Santos 6-0 in a stunning Brazilian Serie A clash on August 17, handing Neymar the heaviest defeat of his career. Vasco took control early with Lucas Piton’s opener, before David Correa de Fonseca extended the lead after halftime. Coutinho then stole the show with two quickfire goals, followed by strikes from Rayan (penalty) and Danilo Neves, sealing a humiliating loss for Santos. The victory lifted Vasco out of the relegation zone, leaving Santos just two points above them in 15th.
After the final whistle, an emotional Neymar was seen consoled by the coaching staff, while Coutinho—his former Barcelona teammate—approached him for a brief exchange. The two shared a hug, with Coutinho offering words of encouragement to his distraught friend. The moment highlighted the stark contrast in emotions, with Coutinho celebrating a standout performance while Neymar grappled with a historic low in his illustrious career.
Neymar didn’t hold back in his post-match interview, admitting, “I’m ashamed. I’m totally disappointed with our performance.” He acknowledged the fans’ right to protest, saying, “If they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right.” Fighting back tears, he added, “It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I’ve never experienced this in my life… It was total s—, that’s the reality.” His raw honesty reflected the magnitude of the defeat, marking a dark chapter in his return to Santos.
The result sends shockwaves through Brazilian football, raising questions about Santos’ direction and Neymar’s ability to inspire a turnaround. For Vasco, however, the emphatic win signals a potential resurgence, with Coutinho proving he still has the magic touch. As Santos licks its wounds, all eyes will be on how Neymar responds to this unprecedented setback in the games ahead.