Santos are staring down a must-win clash on Tuesday night as they travel to Paraguay to face Recoleta in the fourth round of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), and the stakes couldn't be higher for Peixe, who currently sit dead last in Group D with just two points from their first three matches.

For Santos, this is a chance to finally break through and claim their first victory in the competition—a result that would not only lift them off the bottom of the table but also breathe life into their qualification hopes. The math is simple: lose or draw, and their path to the knockout rounds becomes nearly impossible. A win, however, could spark a turnaround and put pressure on the teams above them.

Recoleta, meanwhile, hold three points in the group, sitting just ahead of Santos but still behind Deportivo Cuenca (four points) and group leaders San Lorenzo (five points). San Lorenzo will face Cuenca later that night at 11 p.m. (Brasília time), meaning Tuesday's results could shake up the entire standings.

Head coach Cuca has made notable changes to the lineup compared to Santos' last outing—a 1-1 draw with Palmeiras in the Brasileirão. Coming into the starting eleven are João Ananias and Neymar, replacing Luan Peres and Barreal, respectively. The inclusion of Neymar, in particular, adds a spark of creativity and star power that Santos will desperately need to unlock a stubborn Recoleta defense.

It's worth remembering the unique stakes of the Sudamericana group stage: only the group winner advances directly to the round of 16. The second-place finisher must navigate a playoff round against a team eliminated from the Copa Libertadores—a precarious path that Santos would surely prefer to avoid. For now, all focus is on Tuesday night: three points, a climb off the bottom, and the chance to write a new chapter in their continental campaign.