In the first leg of the U-20 Rio Cup final, Flamengo defeated Botafogo 3-1 this Saturday morning at Laranjão Stadium in Nova Iguaçu. With this result, the "Mais Querido" (Flamengo) could lose by as much as one goal next Sunday and still reach the final of the Campeonato Carioca. If Botafogo overcomes the two-goal deficit, the decision will go to penalties. Cafu, Dener, and Igor scored for the Rubro-Negro, with Pachu pulling one back for the Alvinegro.

Flamengo opened the scoring with the first dangerous play. Cafu pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and fired a powerful shot into the left corner, scoring the first goal in the second minute. With the advantage, Flamengo began to exploit counterattacks more, keeping the match under control and not posing any threat to goalkeeper João Lopes.

In the 27th minute, striker Fabricio nearly extended the lead with a header, but the ball bounced off the crossbar. Showing strength in the air, Flamengo doubled their lead. Cafu took a corner from the right, and Denis scored with a header after excellent anticipation in the 31st minute.

In a moment of indecision from the red-black defensive system, Botafogo reduced the deficit with Pachu, in the 38th minute. Afterwards, Cafu fell on his right shoulder, suffering a dislocation, being replaced by Patrick. 

In the second half, the game became more even, but Flamengo was strong on the counterattack. On a baseline move, Fabricio found Matheus Sávio, who attempted a backheel, but was cleared by Botafogo's defense, who sent the ball out for a corner. Patrick headed the ball past defender Igor to make it three in the 15th minute: 3-1.

Once again with a two-goal lead, Flamengo valued possession, controlling the game. They still had a few chances to extend their lead, but the score remained unchanged, thanks in part to a Botafogo header that hit the crossbar in stoppage time.