In a tough and hard-fought match, Flamengo's U-20 team traveled to Xerém and defeated Tigres 3-1 at Los Larios Stadium in the fourth round of the second phase of the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament. Daniel, Gabriel Silva, and Dener scored the goals for the "Mais Querido," who, with this important away win, remain tied for the group lead with Fluminense with just two rounds remaining in the second phase of the competition. Only the group leader will qualify for the tournament final.

Playing the game of their lives at home, needing a win to keep their chances of qualifying alive, Tigres started the match pressing and took the lead after just 10 minutes, following a free kick in the Flamengo box. The match was very difficult until the 30th minute of the first half, when Flamengo took control of the midfield and began to impose their game. The equalizer soon followed. Striker Daniel made a good play and was brought down inside the box. He himself converted the penalty with a cross shot into the right corner of goalkeeper João's goal, tying the score.

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Mengão continued to attack and was rewarded with a comeback in the final play before halftime. Once again, Daniel, the game's standout player, headed the ball past Gabriel Silva, leaving him face-to-face with the goalkeeper. He calmly finished past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for Mengão. 

"I'm very happy with the goal and the assist. Today's victory was very important for us to continue our work with peace of mind, after last Wednesday's unfavorable result in the Copa do Brasil. This victory makes us strong in the fight for the OPG title, and we are very focused on winning this competition," said Daniel.

The second half was very even, with both teams attacking and missing good chances. In the 25th minute, Gabriel Ramos took a great free kick and headed the ball to captain Dener, who showed opportunism and made it 3-1, giving Flamengo peace of mind for the rest of the game. In the 40th minute, the referee awarded a penalty on Lucas Silva. After much protest from Tigres, who had three players sent off, Jean Lucas missed the penalty. In the final play of the game, a controversial penalty was awarded in Tigres' favor, which was also missed. The 3-1 scoreline keeps the Rubro-Negro tied with Fluminense at the top of the group, with a goal difference of just one less. 

"We knew it would be a very competitive and difficult game. Tigres thrives on home soil. They beat Fluminense here, always trying to impose themselves physically, and today was no different. The victory was very special for our team. This is a group with a lot of potential. We were distressed after Wednesday's unfair result, and today we needed to respond. The game was very tough, especially because we conceded an early goal, but the boys demonstrated their strength and quality and managed to turn things around in a crucial way for us in the rest of the competition," said coach Gilmar Popoca.

Flamengo's U-20 team returns to the field for the OPG Tournament next Saturday (15), when they host the Carapebús/Campos team in Gávea, at 15 pm.