Santos sack coach after 6-0 home defeat to Vasco da Gama

Santos were dealt a devastating blow at home, crushed 6-0 by Vasco da Gama in a Brazilian Serie A clash that exposed the depths of the club’s current crisis. The result left Santos just two points above the relegation zone with supporters baying for change, moments after head coach Cleber Xavier was dismissed. Neymar Jr., who had returned to his boyhood club earlier this year, was seen crying on the pitch after the final whistle as the scale of the setback sank in.

Vasco da Gama’s rout was built on a rapid-fire second half in which five goals came within a 10-minute spell. Lucas Piton opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and David Correa da Fonseca doubled the advantage before Philippe Coutinho swung the game decisively in Vasco’s favor with two goals around the midway point of the second half. A Rayan penalty and a late strike from Danilo Neves completed the margin, marking Vasco’s biggest away win in 17 years and Santos’ worst-ever top-flight home defeat. The scoreline also sent shockwaves through the league, as Vasco climbed above Santos in the table.

Neymar’s emotional reaction drew widespread attention. After returning to Santos in January from a spell with Al Hilal that...