Santos Youth came from behind to beat Ponte Preta (Youth) 2-1 in the Campeonato Paulista Youth on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Estádio Moisés Lucarelli in Campinas. The result extends Santos’ strong start to the season and leaves Ponte Preta searching for consistency in a demanding youth league.

Match overview

Ponte Preta started the match on the front foot, pressing high and forcing Santos into early mistakes. Their energy was rewarded in the 18th minute when a quick exchange on the edge of the box ended with a low finish into the bottom corner. Santos, however, remained calm and gradually took control of possession, using their technical midfielders to dictate the rhythm. The equaliser arrived just before half-time, and Santos carried that momentum into the second period.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Ponte Preta take the lead with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.
• 44th minute: Santos equalise with a header from a corner, the striker rising highest at the near post.
• 57th minute: Santos take the lead for the first time, finishing off a slick team move with a first-time strike.
• 73rd minute: Ponte Preta are denied an equaliser by a superb double save from the Santos goalkeeper.
• 89th minute: Santos nearly add a third on the break, but the shot goes just wide.

The second half was a showcase of Santos’ attacking quality, but Ponte Preta never gave up and pushed hard for an equaliser in the final twenty minutes. Their best chance came from a free-kick that was tipped over the bar, and a late header that clipped the top of the crossbar. In the end, Santos’ clinical finishing and resilience proved decisive.

Tactical story

Santos set up in a flexible 4-3-3 that allowed their wide forwards to drift inside and create overloads in central areas. Ponte Preta used a 4-2-3-1 but struggled to maintain their early intensity as the game wore on. Santos’ ability to switch play quickly from side to side stretched the home defence, and their winning goal came from exactly that kind of patient build-up. Defensively, Santos sat deeper in the closing stages and invited pressure, but they defended their box with determination.

Standout players

Santos’ No. 9, Matheus Lima, was the game’s most dangerous player, scoring the equaliser and holding up the ball brilliantly for his teammates. The midfield trio of João Pedro, Gabriel Santos, and Vinícius Almeida controlled the second half, winning back possession and launching attacks. For Ponte Preta, winger Lucas Gabriel was a constant threat in the first half, and goalkeeper Rafael Costa made several fine saves to keep the score respectable.

Season impact

With this 2-1 win, Santos Youth move up the Campeonato Paulista Youth table and strengthen their reputation as one of the most exciting attacking sides in the competition. Ponte Preta (Youth) remain in the lower half of the standings but will take encouragement from their first-half performance. Both teams now look ahead to their next fixtures, with Santos aiming to maintain their title challenge and Ponte Preta seeking a return to winning ways.