In a match valid for the last round of the Rio U-20 Cup, the Garotos do Ninho defeated Nova Iguaçu 2-1 (Patrick and Rafael Carvalheira) on Wednesday afternoon (21.06) in Gávea. The result further consolidated the Mais Querido's leadership in group A of the Rio Cup (17 points) and the General State, with 49 points and a campaign of 15 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses. Now, Flamengo will host Fluminense and will have the advantage of playing for a draw, in the single game of the Rio Cup semifinal this Saturday (24.06), at 10 am, in Gávea. Next Wednesday (28.06), Mais Querido debuts in the Brazilian U-20 Championship facing Coritiba, at Couto Pereira. 

Flamengo started pressing. In the fourth minute, Patrick took a shot from outside the box, and the goalkeeper made a good save. Following the move, Juninho made a good run down the right, passed the ball into the box, and Luiz Henrique shot dangerously to the left of Nova Iguaçu's goal. In the 4th minute, Loran attempted a cross into the box; the ball deflected off the defense and nearly fooled the goalkeeper. In the 14th minute, Loran received the ball one-on-one with the goalkeeper but missed the chance, shooting poorly. In the 17th minute, Flamengo converted their dominance into a goal and opened the scoring, once again using a new weapon that has been yielding excellent results. Moraes took a throw-in inside the box, Patrick headed it in, and the goalkeeper's rebound, he rolled it into the back of the net himself. In the 27th minute, Patrick shot dangerously over the goal and nearly scored the second before halftime. 

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Early in the second half, Yago performed two miracles with consecutive point-blank shots, saving the Mais Querido from conceding an equalizer. In the 20th minute, Bill played a one-two with Patrick and nearly scored the second, but the goalkeeper came out on top and blocked the shot at the perfect time. The Ninho Boys continued to press, and in the 26th minute, they doubled their lead. Bill consciously passed the ball to Rafael Carvalheira, who fired a first-time shot into the back of the net, giving the Rubro-Negro even more confidence in the game. In the 40th minute, the Baixada Fluminense team reduced the score with a Capixaba pass after a scuffle in the box. After that, it was simply a matter of managing the victory and celebrating another three points.

"I want to thank coach Gilmar Popoca for the opportunity to play. For me, as I'm moving up a category now, it's very important to be able to play and adapt to this new reality, and being on the field helps me a lot during this transition period to the juniors. Furthermore, the goal is very important for my development and also for increasing my confidence. Now we'll prepare for the decisive stages of the Carioca, and also for a new challenge, which will be the Brazilian Championship," said Rafael Carvalheira. 

Flamengo took to the field with Yago, Juninho (Dantas), Bernardo, André Baumer, Moraes, Gabriel Magalhães (Rafael Carvalheira), Vinícius Souza, Luiz Henrique, Bill, Patrick (Andrade) and Loran. Coach: Gilmar Popoca.