Santos Futebol Clube was expelled in the 68th minute of the friendly against Boca Juniors, played in Buenos Aires on July 8, 2026, and ended up losing 2-1. The referee's decision followed two warnings to Santos players for unsporting behavior, culminating in the dismissal of midfielder Carlos Alberto.

What triggered the expulsion?

The match started evenly, but in the 45+2 minute the referee called a harsh foul on the Argentine forward, prompting an immediate protest from Carlos Alberto. He received a yellow card, but after being substituted he returned to the pitch to argue, earning a straight red. Santos' management appealed, but the ruling stood.

How did the game finish?

Down to ten men, Santos tried to respond, yet Boca Juniors capitalized on the advantage with a counter‑attack in the 73rd minute, scoring the second goal. The lone Santos goal came in the 58th minute, with Marinho converting a penalty. The final score was 2-1 to Boca, leaving the Brazilian side with a loss and the expulsion as the headline.

What does this mean for Santos' season?

Even though it was a friendly, the red card raises concerns about the squad's discipline. Santos sits 12th in Serie A with 47 points, recording 12 wins, 11 draws and 15 losses from 38 matches, and a recent form of WWWDD. The team has scored 45 goals and conceded 50, leaving a -5 goal difference. They remain 32 points behind leaders Flamengo, highlighting the need for greater consistency.

What’s next?

Coach Paulo Turra will review the incident and decide on internal sanctions. Santos' next official match is the Paulista derby against Corinthians on July 15. The side will aim to regain confidence and avoid further incidents that could jeopardize the campaign.

Note: The incident occurred on July 8, 2026, and the league statistics are current as of July 9, 2026.