Gabigol's Brace Salvages Dramatic 2-2 Draw for Santos Against Mirassol
Gabigol’s two late goals rescue a 2-2 draw for Santos against Mirassol in a thrilling Campeonato Brasileiro clash attended by Brazil’s coach Ancelotti.
- • Gabigol scored both goals for Santos in the final stages to secure a 2-2 draw against Mirassol.
- • Mirassol led 2-0 with goals from Igor Formiga and Negueba before Santos' comeback.
- • Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti attended the match to scout Neymar, who was rested and did not play.
- • Gabigol stated he does not expect to be selected for the World Cup and humorously told Ancelotti to watch Neymar instead.
Key details
In a dramatic fifth-round encounter of the Campeonato Brasileiro on March 11, 2026, Santos secured a 2-2 draw against Mirassol thanks to an exceptional performance from Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol. Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime with goals from Igor Formiga and Negueba for Mirassol, Santos staged a spirited comeback late in the match. Gabigol scored both goals in the final moments: the first in the 35th minute after a defensive mistake, and the equalizer via a penalty in the 42nd minute after a fouling incident involving Neto Moura, confirmed by VAR review.
The match took place at Estádio José Maria Campos Maia in Mirassol, São Paulo, with an attendance of 8,152 fans and generated R$506,220 in revenue. Brazilian national team coach Carlo Ancelotti was present, primarily to observe Neymar, who was rested and absent from the match squad. Gabigol, who had five shots and 41 touches during the game, joked post-match by urging Ancelotti to watch Neymar's performance in the upcoming classic against Corinthians instead of considering his World Cup prospects. Gabigol openly dismissed hopes of his inclusion in the national squad, emphasizing his focus on recovering from a difficult season and steadily improving his form.
With this result, Santos remains 11th in the league standings with five points, while Mirassol is placed 9th with six. Both teams look ahead to challenging fixtures: Santos facing rivals Corinthians, and Mirassol taking on Palmeiras.
The match highlighted Santos' resilience and Gabigol's decisive influence as the player of the match, illustrating the team's fighting spirit in a contest where they initially struggled. The presence of Ancelotti added intrigue, especially considering Neymar's strategic rest, and Gabigol’s remarks underscored his realistic outlook on national team selection for the upcoming World Cup.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
