The Brazilian front man, who is set to join Italian side Genoa later this summer, had not scored in ten previous appearances in the competition, but headed Santos in front after two minutes against Cerro Porteno. The match finished 3-3, meaning Santos won 4-3 on aggregate, and reached the final.
Ze Eduardo’s total run of goalless matches stretched to thirteen in all competitions, dating back to March 23, but he always had faith in his own ability, telling journalists at half-time: “I always maintained that at the right, a goal would arrive, and it was the right moment.”
There had been calls from fans to drop the striker, and coach Muricy Ramalho admitted Ze Eduardo was suffering: “It’s really difficult for a striker when he doesn’t score,” he said after the first leg last week, during which Ze Eduardo missed two good chances. “He loses a little tranquillity, it’s not easy.”
But Ramalho kept faith in Ze Eduardo and was vindicated with an early goal from his number 20. With a move to Genoa set to be completed after the completion of the Libertadores, it would be a fitting send off for Ze Eduardo to score again to help Santos win the final.
