It was a game with the feel of a Copinha. In a match valid for the second round of Group 23 of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, Flamengo scored in the final seconds of both halves against São Bento, winning 2-1 (Kleber and Hugo Moura) and securing their early qualification for the knockout stage of the competition. Tied with São Caetano on points, with two wins in two games, Flamengo has the advantage in goal difference – 6 goals to Azulão's only 4 – and, therefore, can draw next Sunday's match at 19:45 pm at Anacleto Campanella to finish the first stage as group leader and earn the right to remain at their home stadium for the remainder of the tournament. Both teams have already qualified for the second stage of the Copinha.

The first 15 minutes of the game were very tight, with no scoring chances for either team. In the 16th minute, the first dangerous move came from the São Paulo team. A powerful shot from outside the box went wide of Gabriel Batista's goal. Flamengo didn't repeat the strong performance of their debut against Central, but they had a chance to open the scoring in the 28th minute, after Patrick was awarded a penalty. He took the shot himself, but goalkeeper Matheus chose the right corner and made a good save. On the rebound, Patrick tried again, and Matheus again saved São Bento. In the 37th minute, another good chance came from the Mais Querido. Michael delivered a good cross, and Jean Lucas appeared as a surprise man in the box, but shot over the bar. In the 46th minute, as the teams were preparing to head to the locker room with the score at 1-0, the Garotos do Ninho found the net. Michael crossed again, and Kleber rose higher than the defenders to make it XNUMX-XNUMX. The referee didn't even have time to signal the kick-off and ended the first half.

Flamengo returned for the second half with two changes. Michael replaced Wesley, and Gabriel Silva was replaced by Vinícius Junior. Unlike the first game, the changes didn't have the desired effect for coach Gilmar Popoca, and Flamengo continued to fail to create any significant scoring chances. But they weren't under pressure either. The light rain and the high, soft grass made the game dangerous. Flamengo missed good chances in the 2nd and 35th minutes, with Lucas Silva and Vinícius Junior, respectively. But it was São Bento, with their first, more incisive approach to Gabriel Batista's goal, that tied the game. In the 36th minute, Jackson took a shot from outside the box, which Batista made a great save. The rebound fell to Alisson, who crossed for Luiz Gabriel to equalize. 

Playing for their lives in the Copinha, the São Paulo team went in search of a comeback, and the game was wide open, with scoring chances for both sides. And Flamengo scored, again in the final play of the match. In the 47th minute, Vinícius Junior made a good run down the left wing and rolled the ball into the middle of the box. Hugo Moura controlled the ball well and unleashed a crisp, low shot that was unstoppable for goalkeeper Matheus, giving the Garotos do Ninho their second victory and early qualification to the second round, and sending the Flamengo fans, who once again turned out in good numbers at the Anacleto Campanella stadium, into a frenzy of joy. 

"I want to dedicate this goal to all my family, especially my father, who supported me so much recently when I was injured and couldn't go to the Copa RS Internacional. It was very difficult to watch the games on TV and just cheer, but thank God I'm healthy today and can help my teammates again. I also thank our entire medical team, who helped me so much throughout my recovery. It's great to be able to return and bring joy to this wonderful crowd," said Hugo Moura.

Already qualified for the next stage, Flamengo will face Group 24 in the opening knockout stage of the competition, consisting of Goiás, Nacional (SP), Cori-Sabbá (PI), and Pérolas Negras, from Tahiti, based in São Paulo. If they finish first in their group, Flamengo will remain in São Caetano and host the second-place team from the other group, which would currently be Nacional. If they lose to São Caetano and finish the group stage in second place, the Garotos do Ninho will face the leader of Group 24, currently Goiás, in São Paulo.