Flamengo pressed at the end of the second half and snatched an important draw, away from home, against América-MG, in the final moments of the match, valid for the 14th round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. The red-black team was losing 1-0 until the 49th minute of the second half, when João Couto scored the equalizer, with a long-range shot, and sealed the 1-1 score, in a match played on Wednesday afternoon (27), at the Castor Cifuentes Stadium, in Nova Lima-MG.

Flamengo started the game aggressively against their opponent and, within a minute of play, almost opened the scoring with a shot from Pablo that hit the crossbar. However, the team conceded a goal in the 7th minute. Then, Josmar had a good chance to equalize in the 12th minute, but the goalkeeper was quicker and made the save. Another opportunity arose in the 18th minute when Da Mata passed to Josmar, whose shot was well saved by the América-MG goalkeeper.

Even with the Minas Gerais team well positioned defensively, Flamengo managed a good play in the 26th minute: Pablo went down the left and passed to Ramires, who crossed dangerously, but the defense cleared. In the next play, América-MG threatened with a shot well saved by Gabriel Werneck. In the 35th minute, Sayago received the ball on the right, inside the area, and had his shot blocked by the defender.

In stoppage time of the first half, Daniel Sales crossed from the right and Pablo narrowly missed heading the ball in the 47th minute. Before the referee blew the whistle, América threatened with a shot that went wide to the left of Werneck.

After the break, América-MG came close to extending their lead in the 13th minute, but Gusttavo made a crucial save. Flamengo responded with two consecutive chances: a cross from Pablo that Chapecoense almost finished off, and a shot from Josmar, both in the 19th minute.

Next, Flamengo had two more chances. In the first, Sayago shot over the bar after receiving a pass from the left in the 31st minute. A minute later, Jhefinho shot, but the defender cleared and sent it out for a corner. In the 40th minute, Gusttavo exchanged passes with João Souza and crossed from the right. The goalkeeper got there first and made the save. In the final moments of the match, in the 49th minute, João Couto shot from distance and scored the equalizer, taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper.

Photo: Gilvan de Souza