Anyone who watched Saturday night's 1-1 Brazilian Under-20 Championship match between Flamengo and Coritiba may have been left with the impression that it was a close match of the red-and-black team's first or second game in the competition. Once again facing a white-and-green team, Mengão was leading until just minutes before the final whistle, but conceded a goal and ended up having to settle for just a point.

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With the result, the red-and-black team reaches three points in the competition and is in a difficult position in Group 4, with three draws in three games played. In the next round, on Monday, coach Armênio Moura's team faces Náutico, who beat Palmeiras 1-0 in the preliminary round of the duel between Flamengo and Coritiba, ending their participation in the Brazilian Championship.

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The match started slowly, with both teams misplacing numerous passes, and Coritiba taking the initiative. Flamengo lacked creativity in midfield, and its main plays came only from attempts to connect directly between defense and attack. And, despite appearing cornered in the opening minutes, that's how the Rubro-Negro opened the scoring in the 26th minute.

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Dieguinho launched a pass from the Gávea team's defensive midfield, and the ball fell to top scorer Diego Maurício. He then made the difference. Proving his true eye for goal, the forward scored his third goal in three games in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, tapping in a rebound from his own shot, which goalkeeper Rafael saved and defender Lucas failed to clear.

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The goal gave Flamengo more confidence, and they began to dominate the match. The second half became more exciting, with both teams searching for a goal. Coritiba went in search of an equalizer, and Mengão, relying on counterattacks, tried to extend their lead. Just when everything was heading toward a red-and-black victory, the team once again conceded a late equalizer.

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In the 35th minute, Galhardo conceded an unnecessary penalty on Coritiba's Lelê, after a ball was going out of bounds. Lelê himself took the shot, and goalkeeper Marcelo Carné even made a save, but the Coritiba forward equalized on the rebound. Flamengo then went on the attack in desperation, but, making too many mistakes, they were unable to regain the lead and ended up having to settle for another draw.
 
"The group is harmonious, united to secure this spot, but this is the third game in which we've let our guard down and ended up conceding a goal at the very end. My goal average is good, but to get this goal, the ball passes through the whole team. I thank the group for this opportunity to score, but I would trade it for the win," said Diego Mauricio after the match.