With a solid defensive performance, Flamengo's U-20 team defeated Vasco 1-0 (Lucas Silva) at São Januário Stadium on Monday morning (May 22.05nd) in a match valid for the third round of the Taça Rio. With this result, Flamengo regains the lead in Group A of the Taça Rio with 7 points, alongside Nova Iguaçu. They further consolidate their lead in the overall standings, now with 39 points from the two rounds combined. With one more win and a draw in the remaining four rounds, Flamengo will mathematically secure their spot in the State semifinals, regardless of whether they win the Taça Rio. 

In the next round, Flamengo hosts Madureira on Sunday (May 28.05th) at 10 am in Gávea. Before that, however, the Garotos do Ninho travel to Florianópolis for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil against Avaí, at Ressacada. They can lose by up to one goal to secure their unprecedented spot in the final of the national competition, as they won the first leg 2-0 last week. The duel takes place on Thursday (May 25.05th) at 19 pm, with live broadcast on SporTV and ESPN Brasil.

The derby at São Januário was very evenly matched from the start. Even so, the Garotos do Ninho opened the scoring with their first opportunity. Five minutes into the game, Moraes took a throw-in inside the box, and Lucas Silva turned on the defender to open the scoring. In the 5th minute, Vasco nearly equalized with a dangerous shot from outside the box. Then, in the 13th minute, goalkeeper Gabriel Batista made his first appearance of the match, saving the Rubro-Negro with two consecutive saves. 

In the second half, Vasco came out on top, while the Mais Querido (Dearest Team) counterattacked. And the match opened up. In the 12th minute, Kleber made a beautiful play and crossed to Lincoln, who missed a good chance. In the 16th minute, Gabriel Batista appeared again, this time making a sensational save from close range, preventing the equalizer.

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"Winning a classic is always great. A Flamengo vs. Vasco match is special, a different game, for men, and winning at their home ground gives us even more confidence as we go after a place in the Copa do Brasil final, which is our main objective," said goalkeeper Gabriel Batista.

The game remained very evenly matched, with both teams creating good scoring chances until the end. But with excellent positioning and excellent performances from defenders Bernardo and Rafael, the "Garotos do Ninho" held on and secured a crucial 1-0 victory.

"A victory for the group and the entire coaching staff. I want to dedicate this result to the entire Red-Black Nation, who always supports us, in victories and defeats. It's for them that we run and give our lives on the field. Now let's rest, because on Thursday we have a real decision against Avaí in Florianópolis," said defender Rafael.

Flamengo took to the field with Gabriel Batista, Kleber, Bernardo, Rafael, Moraes, Gabriel Magalhães (Jean Lucas), Theo, Lucas Silva, Gabriel Silva, João Pedro (Patrick) and Lincoln (Loran). Coach: Gilmar Popoca.