In the second leg of the Carioca U-20 semifinals, Flamengo came from behind to beat Botafogo 3-2 on Thursday afternoon (16), in Gávea, and secured a place in the championship final to face Fluminense. The Rubro-Negro's goals were scored by Lázaro, Yuri and Mateusão. By reaching the final, Mengão qualified for the next edition of the Copa do Brasil in the category.

The game
The match started evenly, with the red-and-black team dominating possession. But Botafogo opened the scoring with Enio's penalty kick in the tenth minute: 1-0.

Trailing on the scoreboard, the Garotos do Ninho attacked the black and white team in search of an equalizer. In the 16th minute, João Pedro arrived well from the left side of the box and took a shot. The ball took effect and bounced off the post, nearly fooling the goalkeeper. Flamengo was attacking well down the left flank, especially with Marcos Paulo, who served as the team's safety valve.

In the 30th minute, Mengão tied the score! Thiaguinho found Lázaro in the box, who controlled the ball and subtly tapped it into the net, scoring his 13th goal of the season: 1-1. In the final minutes, Mengão turned the game around! Max took a free kick from the right, and the goalkeeper palmed it away. Yuri took the rebound, the ball deflected off the defense and went in: 2-1.

After the break, the Ninho Boys continued to press Botafogo in search of a third goal. In the 13th minute, Lázaro nearly scored a stunning overhead kick. Even with the lead, the Red-Blacks didn't slow down and continued attacking. In the 28th minute, Matheus Nascimento struck a powerful shot into the corner to level the score for the Black-and-Whites: 2-2.

In the 42nd minute, Mengão took the lead again! Ítalo crossed into the box and Mateusão ​​headed the ball into the back of the net to seal the 3-2 victory for the red-and-blacks and their place in the final.

It's important to note that Flamengo also secured a spot in next year's U-20 Brazil Cup. This is the only competition Flamengo's youth team has yet to win.  

Next appointment
The Garotos do Ninho return to the field next Sunday (19) to face Bahia, at 15 pm, in Gávea, for the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.

Flamengo lineup
João Fernando; Luan, Kayque Soares (Otavio), Cleiton and Marcos Paulo (Italo); Max, Yuri and Lázaro (Matheus França); Thiaguinho (Kayke David, André (Werton) and João Pedro (Matthew).
Coach: Fabio Matias.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 3x2 Botafogo – Second leg of the Semifinals of the U-20 Carioca Championship
Location: José Bastos Padilha Stadium, Gávea-RJ
Date: 16 / 09 / 2021
Referee: Marcelo Henrique Araujo de Oliveira
Assistants: Matheus Coutinho Ferreira dos Santos and Alex Richard Pereira Silva
Yellow cards: João Fernando (FLA), Max (FLA), Reydson (BOT), Vitor (BOT), Italo (FLA), Luan (FLA) and Wendel (BOT)
Goals: Enio (10'1st half), Lázaro (30'1st half), Yuri (44'1st half), Matheus Nascimento (28'2nd half) and Mateusão ​​(42'2nd half).