Vasco Thrashes Santos 6-0: The Coutinho and Piton Show

Vasco Thrashes Santos 6-0: The Coutinho and Piton Show

In a historic afternoon of the 2025 Brasileirão, Vasco handed Neymar's Santos a 6-0 thrashing at the Morumbi, with standout performances from Coutinho and Piton. Check out the details of this huge match!

There are some Sundays you wake up and think, "Today is going to be one of those days..." And then there are Sundays when soccer decides to remind you why it's still worth believing in miracles. At the Morumbis stadium, Vasco applied a historic 6-0 beatdown on Santos this Sunday, August 17th, in an afternoon that will be remembered not just for the numbers, but for how the Cruz-Maltino showed they can still teach a masterclass when you least expect it.

And let’s be real, no one was expecting this, especially looking at the table before the game. (Who, in their right mind, would have expected this?)

When the Impossible Becomes a Movie Script

Lucas Piton opened the scoring with a header in the first half, and right there you could feel the game had a different vibe. But it was in the second half that things completely went off the rails—in a good way, obviously. Philippe Coutinho put on a real show, scoring two goals in a performance that was reminiscent of his Liverpool days.

The tactical difference was staggering. While Santos tried to pass the ball around and build elaborate plays, Vasco opted for a more direct and lethal strategy: sharp counter-attacks that left the Santos defense completely lost at the Morumbis. David scored a beautiful one-timer, Rayan converted a penalty, and there was even time for some cheeky chips from Coutinho and Tchê Tchê—because when things are going right, even those playful moves work out.

Now, thinking about it... was the problem more with Santos' defense or with Vasco's inspired performance? The answer is probably somewhere in the middle, but what truly matters is that the Gigante da Colina showed that when you least expect it, they can still deliver a beautiful performance away from São Januário.

Neymar's Drama and the Weight of the Jersey

Neymar was seen crying on the field at the end of the match, visibly shaken by the defeat. And it's no surprise—can you imagine, as the team's main star, watching your squad concede six goals at home? The Santos fans didn't hold back: boos, protests, and even some fans turning their backs to the field.

Is it cruel? Yes. But that's Brazilian soccer, where passion and demanding standards always go hand-in-hand. The "Kid Ney," who has enjoyed great glory around the world, had to swallow one of the most bitter defeats of his career at home. The thrashing was the biggest defeat of Neymar's career—a milestone no one wants to have on their resume.

What's most impressive is how unpredictable soccer can be. A few weeks ago, everyone was talking about the star's triumphant return. Today, the headlines are about tears and protests. That's the way it is in sports: there are no guarantees for anyone.

The Vasco Tactical Masterclass

Rafael Paiva deserves all the credit for how he prepared the team. The strategy of using Nuno on the wing and leaving the middle more open for Coutinho to operate worked perfectly. Vasco knew how to exploit the spaces left by Santos, who insisted on pushing their defensive line too high.

Lucas Piton, who played freely on the wing, was one of the positive surprises. David showed his versatility by improvising as a forward. And Coutinho? Well, Coutinho just did what Coutinho does—that elegant soccer we all know, but which doesn't always show up when we need it most.

The difference between the two teams was clear in the details: while Santos was making simple passing errors and leaving holes in their defense, Vasco maintained their focus and took advantage of every opportunity that came their way. Sometimes soccer is just that simple.

What This Historic Afternoon Leaves Behind

Despite the thrashing of Santos, Vasco remains in 16th place in the Brazilian Championship—proof of how balanced the league is and how every point matters. But a victory like this isn't just about the three points; it's about confidence, morale, and the certainty that the team still has the legs to play good soccer.

For Santos, it's a red alert. You can't concede six goals at home and pretend everything is normal. The pressure on the coaching staff will increase, and Neymar knows he'll need something special to win back the fans who booed him today.

Soccer has these moments: on a random Sunday, the impossible happens. Vasco, who was fighting at the bottom of the table, goes home with a sense of a job well done and a valuable lesson: when the team plays together, without ego and with clear goals, even a historic thrashing can happen.

It remains to be seen if this victory will be a turning point or just a flash of brilliance in a difficult season. But at least for today, São Januário can rest easy: the Giant roared loud when no one expected it.

Final Match Stats

SANTOS

• Initial Tactical Formation: 4-3-3 with Neymar on the left wing

• Ball Possession: 52%

• Shots: 8 (2 on goal)

• Corners: 5

• Fouls: 12

• Cards: 2 yellow

• Passes: 387 (78% accuracy)

VASCO

• Initial Tactical Formation: 4-2-3-1 with Coutinho in the center

• Ball Possession: 48%

• Shots: 12 (8 on goal)

• Corners: 3

• Fouls: 15

• Cards: 1 yellow

Passes: 341 (72% accuracy)