RIO DE JANEIRO, May 7– Neymar struck a first-half goal as Santos drew 1-1 at Recoleta in the Copa Sudamericana group stage on Tuesday.
Making just his 12th appearance in an injury-riddled year, Neymar breached the Paraguayan side’s defense just before halftime, combining with Benjamin Rollheiser and angling a first-time shot into the far corner. Despite controlling less than a third of the overall possession, Recoleta pressed for a late equalizer and got its reward when Fernando Galeano fired in at the far post just moments after his introduction as a substitute. The result leaves the Brazilian club last in Group D with three points, one behind third-placed Recoleta. In Argentina, Gremio cruised to a 3-0 win over Deportivo Riestra, a result that left the Brazilian club top of Group F.
Carlos Vinicius converted a 30th-minute penalty before Francis Amuzu and Martin Braithwaite added second-half goals as Gremio claimed its second win of the campaign. The Porto Alegre outfit now has seven points from four games, three points ahead of third-placed Deportivo Riestra. Elsewhere in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday, Caracas FC won 3-2 at Independiente Petrolero, Atletico Mineiro drew 2-2 at Juventude and Puerto Cabello eased to a 3-0 home win over Cienciano.
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