Neymar's instant impact off the bench sends Santos into Quarter-Final

Neymar Jr showed flashes of his old magic on his return from injury, setting up the winning goal off the bench as Santos edged Remo 1-0 to book a place in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.

Both sides pressed forward from the start at Estádio da Mangueirão on Tuesday night (August 4), but chances were scarce in an even opening. Santos came closest early on through Gabriel Menino in the first minute, while Remo's Aleff Manga and Jajá threatened without finding a breakthrough.

The hosts were dealt a blow in the 27th minute when Remo defender Marlon was shown a yellow card for a foul outside the box — a decision referee Anderson Daronco overturned to a straight red after a VAR review, leaving Remo to play the rest of the match with ten men.

Santos coach Cuca turned to Neymar at the start of the second half to inject fresh energy into the attack, and the move paid off almost immediately.

In the 74th minute, Neymar won the ball off Remo midfielder Jhe Wellison, surged forward down the left flank and into the box, then slipped a precise pass across to Ronny, who made no mistake in front of goal to give Santos the lead.

Remo nearly salvaged a point late on when a Vitor free-kick struck the post, but the woodwork denied them an equalizer, and Santos held on for the 1-0 win.

The victory secures Santos a spot in the last eight of the Copa do Brasil, along with prize money of roughly 4 million Brazilian reais.