(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Santos delivered a fierce, focused derby win over Corinthians, 3–1 at Vila Belmiro, in a match that mattered as much for survival as for bragging rights.

It ended a four-year home league drought against their rivals and showcased a team that looks more coherent under coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

The tone was set almost immediately: after three minutes, midfielder Zé Rafael rose to head in from a corner. Santos kept the pressure high and the lines compact, repeatedly trapping Corinthians' back three near their own box.

The hosts doubled the lead late in the first half when Argentine winger Álvaro Barreal cut inside and whipped a finish into the top corner.

Early in the second half, another surge ended with Zé Rafael being fouled; Benjamín Rollheiser converted the penalty in the 54th minute for 3–0.



Corinthians only stabilized when Garro and Memphis Depay came off the bench; Raniele pulled one back with a header in the 57th, and Gustavo Henrique later hit the post, but the deficit proved too large.
Santos win eases relegation
The night carried weight beyond the scoreline. A crowd of 13,123 produced a gate of R$665,586 ($125,582) and watched Santos finally break a stubborn taboo in their own stadium.

The performance felt like a blueprint: coordinated pressing, quick transitions, and set-piece bite. It also hinted at where Santos is headed in the coming weeks.

Club president Marcelo Teixeira expects Neymar to return within a month from a muscle injury; until then, the responsibility rests with Vojvoda's blend of experienced Brazilians and newly arrived Argentines who drove this win-Zé Rafael, Barreal, and Rollheiser.

For readers outside Brazil, the stakes are simple: this is the country's top division, and finishing near the bottom means relegation to Serie B.

With the result, Santos moved to 31 points in 16th, six clear of the drop zone, while Corinthians stayed on 33 in 12th-still not safe. On a tense night, Santos didn't just beat a rival; they bought themselves time, belief, and a clearer path to stay up.

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