Flamengo opened the final week of the Conmebol South American Championship by winning the title. And it wasn't just any achievement. After missing out on the top three years in a row, always reaching the final, the Mais Querido U-15 team had another stellar performance in the national derby played against Internacional on Sunday morning (10) at Toca da Raposa 1, valid for the final of the BH Cup (also known as Cruzeiro International Cup). With three goals from midfielder Reinier, the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals, the Garotos do Ninho simply gave their strong opponent no chance, winning by a fair 4-0 (Reinier [3] and Marcos Felipe) and, finally, were able to take a lap of honor and celebrate – and celebrate – the hitherto unheard-of trophy. 

The victory caps a golden year for the category, which in January had been crowned champions of the Votorantim Cup under coach Mário Jorge. Thus, Flamengo's U-15s close out the 2017 season with the two major national titles on the calendar.

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"I'm very pleased with the athletes' commitment and performance. It was an extremely grueling competition, with eight games in eight days, and over the weekend we played three games in just 24 hours. Regardless, our team gave it their all, overcame all the adversities, and capped off a wonderful year for all of us, deserving of all our achievements, which is the most important thing. We were, without a doubt, the best team in the competition collectively, and we also had the top scorer and best player in the championship (Reinier). This is the result of the work of many minds uniting for Flamengo, which always comes first. Congratulations to everyone, and now let's celebrate," said coach Ramon Lima.

The unprecedented victory was highlighted by one name: Reinier, who has been having a strong year in 2017. Just eight minutes into the game, he opened the scoring for Flamengo. Right-back Jhonata made a great play along the baseline and passed to the number 10, who controlled the ball, cut past the defender, and fired a shot with a pinpoint finish, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. In the 12th minute, Samuel recovered the ball inside the opponent's box, but was dispossessed, and the ball fell to Lázaro. The center forward, who last week won the Nike Friendlies Cup in the United States with the Brazilian U-15 team, took a dangerous shot, but the ball deflected off the defense and sailed just wide of the Flamengo goal. Flamengo pressed firmly and confidently on the field, confident that this time the title would not slip away. And it did.

In the 28th minute, the second goal came. Samuel delivered a beautiful pass behind the defense to Reinier, who burst into the box with great speed and simply displaced the goalkeeper with great skill. The goal gave the Boys of the Nest even more peace of mind, and they went into the locker room even more confident of the victory, with the good advantage gained in the first half.

The game was well controlled, and 14 minutes into the second half, Flamengo put the game away. Fighting hard throughout, Samuel won the ball back in defense once again and passed it through to Reinier. He dribbled past the goalkeeper and tapped it into the back of the net, scoring his third goal of the final and further cementing his place in the competition's top scorers' standings, with seven goals in eight matches.

To cap off a great week for the team, with top-notch performances against tough opponents throughout the competition, nothing more fitting than another rout. And it came in the 28th minute. Daniel Cabral passed to Reinier. He controlled the ball and passed it to Marcos Felipe, who unleashed a bomb, sealing the final score and securing another title for the red-and-black youth team in 2017.

"I'm very happy, first of all, with another victory in such an important competition. We won the Votorantim Cup at the beginning of the year, and now we've capped it off with this international victory. Individual achievements only happen thanks to the work of the entire group. Therefore, I'm very grateful to all my teammates and also to the coaching staff," said top scorer Reinier. 

Coach: Ramon Lima.