Brasileirão Season Finale: Santos Host Cruzeiro in Neymar vs Kaio Jorge Showdown
In the final matchday of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season, Santos will host third-placed Cruzeiro. Santos, having recently secured their top-flight status, aims to conclude their season on a high note, while Cruzeiro, already qualified for the Copa Libertadores, looks to maintain their impressive unbeaten run. The fixture promises an exciting attacking battle between Santos' Neymar and Cruzeiro's Kaio Jorge.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This match marks the culmination of the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season. For home side Santos, it signifies their return to Brazil's top flight after being relegated in 2023 and winning the Série B title in 2024. They have successfully secured their top-tier status for next season, largely due to a crucial hat-trick from Neymar in their previous 3-0 victory over Juventude, which lifted them to 14th place, two points clear of the relegation zone. They will be eager to end the season with a strong performance in front of their home fans.
Visiting side Cruzeiro has enjoyed a stellar season, currently occupying 3rd place in the league table with 70 points from 37 matches. They have already clinched a coveted spot in the Copa Libertadores for the upcoming season. While this match holds no direct bearing on Cruzeiro's league position, they will be keen to extend their impressive unbeaten streak, which stands at either six or an exceptional eleven matches depending on the source, and potentially record the fewest defeats in their history under the round-robin format. However, given their upcoming Copa do Brasil semi-final against Corinthians on December 10, coach Leonardo Jardim may opt to rest key players.
Recent Form
Santos has shown a strong resurgence towards the end of the season. Their recent form includes two consecutive wins, such as 3-0 victories over both Juventude and Sport Recife. Although their overall league performance (11 wins, 11 draws, 15 losses) is considered 'Poor,' the team has elevated its game in the final stretch. Over their last five official matches, Santos' form reads W-D-D-W-W, and they have scored exactly nine goals during this period.
Cruzeiro, conversely, is in exceptional form, remaining undefeated in their last six league fixtures, with some reports even suggesting an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak. Their recent five matches include a commanding 3-0 win against Corinthians and a 2-2 draw with Botafogo RJ. Cruzeiro's defensive organization has been robust throughout the 2025 season, suffering only five losses from 37 matches. Over their last five games, Cruzeiro's form is D-D-W-D-D, and they have also netted nine goals in this span, highlighting their balanced attack and defense.
Key Players & Injury News
The undeniable key player for Santos is Neymar, who rejoined his boyhood club in January 2025. Despite battling recurring injuries throughout the season, including hamstring, knee, and meniscus issues, he recently delivered a crucial hat-trick against Juventude, lifting the team out of the relegation zone and showcasing his match-winning prowess. However, forward Tiquinho Soares is likely to miss out due to a knee injury, and midfielder Ze Rafael is suspended. Furthermore, F. das Chagas Soares dos Santos (knee problems) and G. Escobar (hamstring injury) are also sidelined with their return dates yet to be determined.
Cruzeiro's attacking spearhead is Kaio Jorge, who has been the top scorer in both the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (21 goals) and the Copa do Brasil, also providing 8 assists in the Série A. Other influential players include creative midfielder Matheus Pereira, experienced goalkeeper Cássio, and midfielders Lucas Silva Borges and Christian Roberto Alves Cardoso. However, coach Leonardo Jardim has indicated he might rest key players, including Kaio Jorge, ahead of their Copa do Brasil semi-final on December 10. Injury-wise, Wanderson and Marquinhos are currently out.