BARUERI, São Paulo (Interstat) — Santos U20 scored in the 30th and 86th minutes and beat Palmeiras U20 2-1 at Arena Barueri, overcoming a second-half equalizer from the home side. Palmeiras U20 drew level in the 70th minute, but Santos U20 found the decisive goal with four minutes of regulation remaining. The visitors improved to seven wins and no losses in the competition and seven wins and one loss across all competitions. Palmeiras U20 moved to five wins, one loss and one draw in the competition and 10 wins, one loss and one draw across all competitions. The result gave Santos U20 a road win against a Palmeiras U20 side that had been difficult to beat for much of the season.

Santos U20 opened the scoring in the 30th minute, breaking through after a tense opening half-hour. The visitors protected that advantage through the remainder of the first half and took a one-goal lead into the break. Palmeiras U20, playing at home, trailed despite entering the match with strong form in the competition. Santos U20’s early goal gave the visitors a platform to defend and forced Palmeiras U20 to chase the game after halftime. The home side increased its pressure in the second half, looking for a way back into the match.

Palmeiras U20 responded after the interval and found the equalizer in the 70th minute, setting up a tense final stretch. The home side pushed for a go-ahead goal, but Santos U20 withstood the pressure and regained the lead in the 86th minute. The late goal proved decisive as Santos U20 closed out the road win. Palmeiras U20 could not produce a second equalizer in the closing minutes, and Santos U20 took the result at Arena Barueri. The final whistle confirmed a narrow win for the visitors after a closely contested second half.

The win kept Santos U20 unbeaten in the competition this season while handing Palmeiras U20 its first competition loss. Santos U20’s overall record also improved, while Palmeiras U20 absorbed a rare setback across all competitions. The result reversed the outcome of the teams’ earlier meeting this season, when Palmeiras U20 won 4-3. Santos U20’s previous results included wins over Santo Andre U20, Ponte Preta U20 and Jabaquara U20, while Palmeiras U20 had recent wins over Paysandu PA U20, Sao Paulo U20 and Botafogo U20. Santos U20 had won six of its previous seven matches in all competitions, with the lone defeat coming against Palmeiras U20. Palmeiras U20 had won four consecutive matches before the loss, including a 3-1 road win at Paysandu PA U20 and a 2-0 home win over Sao Paulo U20.

Arena Barueri hosted the match in Barueri, São Paulo, and the visitors made the most of their chances. Santos U20 scored twice, while Palmeiras U20 managed one goal in response. The game remained close throughout, with the decisive moment arriving in the 86th minute. Santos U20’s ability to answer Palmeiras U20’s equalizer proved the difference in the final score. The visitors’ late goal capped a resilient performance and denied Palmeiras U20 a share of the result. Santos U20 had scored at least two goals in each of its previous seven matches, while Palmeiras U20 had scored at least two goals in nine of its previous 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Palmeiras U20 1, Santos U20 1 before the match. Interstat’s ELO system gave Palmeiras U20 an 85 percent probability to win. Palmeiras U20 was installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.