Santos reached the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals on Tuesday night by beating Remo 1-0 in Belém through a second-half goal from Rony.
Following a goalless draw in the first leg, the visiting team secured a 1-0 aggregate victory at the Mangueirão in the second leg of the round of 16. The decisive goal arrived after Remo captain Marllon was sent off in the first half.
Santos joined Atlético-MG as the second team to qualify for the quarter-finals after Atlético-MG eliminated Juventude. The final six places will be decided later in the week, with the quarter-final legs scheduled for the weeks of August 27 and September 3 following a draw.
First half red card
The match opened with opportunities for both teams in the initial minutes. Fewer than 40 seconds into the game, Santos midfielder Gabriel Menino completed a pass exchange with Gabriel Barbosa and took a shot that deflected off Leonel Picco for a right-side corner.
Remo responded almost three minutes in when Marcelinho sent a pass to put Ale Manga one-on-one with goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão. Brazão saved Manga's low effort, and Jajá sent the rebound wide past the left post.
Santos threatened again in the 22nd minute when Barreal initiated a counter-attack and found Caballero. The Paraguayan attacker cut inside and struck a low right-footed shot that was stopped by Remo goalkeeper Marcelo Rangel.
The key moment of the match occurred in the 27th minute when Marllon committed a foul on Caballero. Referee Anderson Daronco initially issued a yellow card before reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, determining it was a clear goalscoring opportunity, and sending the defender off.
Playing with a numerical advantage, Santos sought a lead before halftime. Caballero set up Gabriel Barbosa in the 32nd minute for a powerful strike that grazed the junction of the left post and crossbar. Remo nearly scored two minutes later when Marcelinho crossed from the right, the ball deflected off Escobar, and Brazão dived to turn it behind for a corner. The first half ended scoreless after seven minutes of added time.
Rony decides the match
Santos manager Cuca introduced Neymar and Rony at halftime in place of Gabriel Bontempo and Gabriel Barbosa. Remo created the first chance of the second period in the tenth minute when Zé Welison hit the left post with a free kick from distance.
Santos responded in the 16th minute when Rollheiser created space and saw his deflected shot forced wide by a diving save from Marcelo Rangel. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute of the second half when Neymar won a duel against Zé Welison on the right flank, drove forward, and passed to Rony, who finished into the net.
Neymar had an opportunity to double the lead near the 45th minute when Gabriel Menino played him through on a counter-attack, but his long-range attempt over Rangel went wide. Remo player Vitor Bueno also hit the left post with a free kick from distance in the 46th minute.
Historical record and league standings
This match marked the second time Santos eliminated Remo from the Copa do Brasil. The previous encounter occurred in the second round of 2010, the year Santos won their first tournament title, when they won 4-0 at the Mangueirão to advance without needing a second leg under the rules of that era.
Both teams turn their attention back to the Campeonato Brasileiro 22nd round on the weekend as they fight against relegation to Série B. Remo hosts Atlético-MG at home on Saturday at 18:30, while Santos hosts Athletico-PR at Vila Belmiro in Santos on Sunday at 18:30.
Remo sits in 19th place in the league table with 21 points, ahead of bottom side Chapecoense on 10. Vasco has 21 points and Grêmio has 22 in the relegation zone, while Santos occupies 15th place with 22 points, level with Internacional but ahead on goals scored.
