Come on, my friend! Nationally recognized for their technical quality and collective play, the "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys) introduced the country to a new aspect this Sunday night (January 15.01): the warrior spirit that should govern all athletes who wear the Sacred Mantle. The thrilling 2-1 victory against Cruzeiro (Jean Lucas and Vinícius Junior), in a match valid for the round of 47 of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, combined technique, demonstrated by Jean Lucas's beautiful goal, with a conscious touch into the goalkeeper's corner, and great spirit, will, determination, and maturity, demonstrated by the team, winning the game with a goal by Vinícius Junior in the 19.01th minute of the second half, after conceding the equalizer just minutes earlier due to a collective inattention following a corner kick. With the victory, Mais Querido is once again qualified for the quarterfinals of the most important youth football competition in Brazil, and awaits the winner of the match between Corinthians and Internacional, who face each other this Monday, to find out their opponent in the next round of the competition, in a match already scheduled for next Thursday, January 19th, at 30:XNUMX pm at Arena Barueri.

The game

The national derby started with a lot of action, but without many scoring chances. In the 13th minute, Vinícius Junior's free kick dangerously hit the outside of the net, drawing the first "Uhhhhh!" chant from the Flamengo fans, who once again turned out in large numbers at the Prefeito José Liberatti Stadium in Osasco and cheered the team on from start to finish. In the 28th minute, Lincoln pressured the Cruzeiro goalkeeper in a seemingly unassuming move and nearly stole the ball to score the first goal. Flamengo pressed on, and in the 31st minute, Hugo Moura nearly opened the scoring with a first-time shot from outside the box, following a rebound from João Pedro. However, the Minas Gerais team nearly broke the deadlock soon after. A dangerous cross into the box was blocked by captain Dener, who saw the ball crash against goalkeeper Gabriel Batista's post. At 38, Vinícius Junior only didn't find the net because the defender saved it on the line. 

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The Mais Querido returned from the break with the same lineup, but managing to impose their pace much more. And they were rewarded with the first goal in the 11th minute. After a great play by Moraes on the left, Jean Lucas deftly chipped the ball into the corner of goalkeeper Jonathan's net. A national celebration in Osasco! Cruzeiro could have scored a second in the 14th minute, when Lincoln left Vinícius Junior face-to-face with the goal. But the striker wasted the good chance. In the 36th minute, goalkeeper Gabriel Batista made a great save on a free kick from the front that posed a serious threat to Flamengo's goal. The game was tense and closely contested, and in the 40th minute, Cruzeiro equalized after a collective lapse in attention on a corner kick.

Proving their maturity with each game, the Ninho Boys remained undeterred and continued to hound the Celeste team. They were rewarded for their fight in the 47th minute, just before the end of the match. Kleber took the final corner kick of the game. As he had done in the victory over São Caetano, captain Dener got ahead of the defense and headed the ball to Vinícius Junior, who chested it down to score the winning goal and the thrilling qualification. 

"Thank God, I was blessed once again and was able to help my team achieve a great victory. I always like to make it clear that none of this would be possible without the help of all my teammates, coach Gilmar Popoca, and the entire Flamengo coaching staff and board, who have spoken with me almost daily and always shown me the right path. We continue to move forward, growing stronger and stronger in this Copinha. We want the title, and that's what we're going for, always with the utmost respect for all our opponents. Scoring goals and bringing joy to this wonderful crowd is incredible. It's for them that I step onto the field and run until the end. Today, we took another step," said Vinícius Junior.