Santos remain in the hunt to win their third Copinha title after beating Criciúma 2-1 at the Vila Belmiro this Saturday.
The current champions qualify with a 100% record and, as Group V winners, will face the tournament’s best second placed team in the next round. It’s likely that the Peixe will face Palmeiras, second in Group H and with a better record than Kashiwa Reysol of Group W.
Santos and Criciúma both went in to the final match on six points. The Peixo knew that a draw would see them through due to their superior goal difference. The Vila Belmiro side opened the scoring on 32 minutes with a goal from Diego Cardoso.
Six minutes later, Criciúma levelled the contest with a headed goal but in the second half it was the Peixe that dominated, a brace from Stéfano Yuri sealing the victory and passage to the next round.
