Philippe Coutinho scores first Santos goal to secure victory over Fluminense

Philippe Coutinho scored the winning goal as Santos came from behind to beat Fluminense 2-1 in the Brazilian league at the Maracana.

Fluminense took the lead after only four minutes, when Rodrigo Castillo found the net to give the home side an early advantage.

Santos responded after the interval, with Gabriel Barbosa equalising in the 49th minute. Coutinho then completed the turnaround five minutes later, heading Barbosa’s cross into the net to put the visitors ahead.

The result moves Santos up to eighth in the table on 45 points. They remain six points behind Fluminense, who occupy fifth place.

Coutinho, who joined Santos as a free agent last month, said after the match: “It is a great feeling to score another goal, especially in this stadium. We played a great match against a strong team that likes to have possession and build attacks from the back.

“But we improved after the break and dealt with their pressure much better. I think we deserved to win in the end.”

The former Vasco da Gama player’s arrival at Santos was officially announced on 15 September, with the agreement running until the end of the current year. The three-month deal was completed as a free transfer.

Coutinho had ended his contract with Vasco da Gama in February for psychological reasons before agreeing to join Santos.

His move also reunited him with his friend Neymar, who is now playing alongside him at the club.

The victory was especially significant for Santos after they had fallen behind early at the Maracana. Fluminense controlled much of the opening phase and made the stronger start, but Santos changed the course of the game after half-time.

Barbosa’s equaliser gave them momentum before Coutinho supplied the decisive moment. The midfielder met the cross from the right with a header and lifted Santos to three points against one of the sides above them in the standings.

Although Fluminense had taken the lead through Castillo, Santos held on after Coutinho’s goal to complete the comeback and narrow the gap to the fifth-placed team to six points.