Flamengo's youth team, the "Garotos do Ninho" (Flamengo's youth team), secured the Copa Rio Sub-17 title with a penalty shootout victory over Vasco, at their opponent's home ground, the Nivaldo Pereira Stadium in Austin, in the Baixada Fluminense region. The opponent reversed the 2-1 scoreline from the first leg in regulation time, but Flamengo prevailed in the penalty shootout (5-4) and were crowned champions this Friday (November 14th), on the eve of the club's 130th anniversary.

It was all about overcoming adversity. The youngsters embodied the Flamengo spirit and won another trophy for the youth categories. Flamengo opened the scoring with a goal from captain Rogério in the first half. After conceding a comeback in the second half, Mengão clinched the title on penalties. Luis Chape, Diego Guimarães, Matheus Tiago, and Daniel Carvalho scored, tying the shootout at 4-4. As the opponent had missed a penalty, João Vitor was left with the responsibility of deciding the match and showed great composure to convert the final kick, starting a huge celebration on the pitch.

The game

Flamengo's first chance came in the 9th minute. Lucas Falcone crossed and João Vitor headed wide to the right of the goalkeeper. Vasco looked to attack and also had a good opportunity with a header in the 16th minute. Flamengo responded with a counter-attack led by goalkeeper Gabriel Werneck, which João Vitor narrowly missed.

Flamengo's defense struggled against Diego Minete, Vasco's number 9, who had two shots blocked in the 25th minute. Coach Daniel Franklin's team lacked accuracy in their penultimate and final passes when approaching the goal.

At 33 minutes, the Vasco defender made a mistake in possession, leaving João Vitor one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The number 9 shot low, but the goalkeeper made the save. Five minutes later, Flamengo opened the scoring with a well-worked move by Falcone, João Vitor, and Gabriel Amancio, who delivered a low cross for captain Rogério to finish beautifully into the top left corner, unstoppable. At 43 minutes, the wind almost deceived goalkeeper Gabriel Werneck on a cross from the right, where Vasco concentrated much of their attacking play.

Six minutes into the second half, Vasco threatened the penalty area on two occasions. The opponent returned from halftime determined to equalize, while Flamengo created an important chance in the 10th minute with Rogério. Following that, due to a mistake by the Flamengo attack, Vasco launched a quick counter-attack, three against one, but Gabriel Amancio made a crucial sliding tackle to save the day. The opponent equalized in the 27th minute with Lucas Ovídio.

At 30 minutes, João Vitor made a good play and passed to Diego, who shot with his left foot, but the goalkeeper made the save. Vasco attacked with many crosses into the area. In another aerial play, Diego Minete headed the ball over the bar, close to the crossbar, at 36 minutes. It was from a corner kick that Vasco scored their second goal, scored by Breno Sales, at 45 minutes. In the last play of the game, Daniel Carvalho headed the ball downwards, and it went over the crossbar. The 2-2 draw led to a penalty shootout, and Flamengo were more successful.