Flamengo went to Curitiba this Thursday (20) and ended up being defeated by Athletico-PR by 2 to 1, at CT do Caju, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Brasileirão Sub-20. Rodriguinho scored for Mais Querido at 52' of the second half.

Now, the teams will face each other again next Wednesday (26), in Rio de Janeiro. Rubro-Negro needs to win by two goals to advance in the competition.

The game
Despite the cold weather in Curitiba, the match started hotly, with both teams looking to attack. Just five minutes in, Pedrinho took a free kick into the box, and the ball headed toward goal. The Paraná goalkeeper had to palm it away to prevent the first goal. Werton then received the ball on the right and passed it to Lorran, who dribbled past his marker and fired a three-finger shot. The ball went just wide of the post.

The Ninho Boys dominated possession and roamed the Athletico box. Despite the red-and-black pressure, the home team opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Walace's shot from the edge of the box hit the post, and Chiquetti pounced on the rebound: 1-0.

In stoppage time of the first half, Athletico extended their lead with Vinicius Kauê, after a two-touch free kick inside the box: 2-0. The home team went into the break with the advantage.

Early in the second half, Lorran made an individual move and attempted a shot. The ball bounced off the defense, and Athletico managed to clear the danger. In the eighth minute, Zé Welinton crossed from the left, and Werton, on the edge of the penalty area, headed the ball stylishly into the corner. Mycael stretched to make the save.

Flamengo continued to pressure the team from Paraná and created several opportunities to reduce the deficit. In the 14th minute, Lorran struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but the ball went just wide of the post. Flamengo's number 10 had an excellent match, constantly looking to play and creating the best chances.

In the 36th minute, Lorran attempted a first-time shot, but the ball fell to Ryan Luka, who sent it over the bar. After so much persistence, Mengão was crowned with a goal in the 52nd minute, right in the final minutes of stoppage time. Rodriguinho made a beautiful individual play, burst into the box, dribbled past the defenders, and shot toward goal. The defense tried to clear it, but the ball went over the line: 2-1.

With this result, the Ninho Boys must beat the Paraná team in the second leg by two goals to advance to the semifinals. If they win by one goal, the match will go to penalties.

Next appointment
The Garotos do Ninho return to the field next Wednesday (26) to face Athletico-PR again, at 16 pm, in Rio de Janeiro, in the return match of the Brasileirão Sub-20.

Mengão lineup
Kauã Santos; Daniel Sales (Felipe Brian), Diegão, Cleiton and Zé Welinton; Rayan Lucas, Pedrinho and Lorran; Werton (Rodriguinho), Petterson (Evertton) and Mateusão ​​(Ryan Luka).
Coach: Mario Jorge.

Technical sheet
Athletico-PR 2x1 Flamengo – First leg of the Quarterfinals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship
Location: CT do Caju – Curitiba, PR
Date and time: 20/07/2023 at 19:XNUMX PM
Arbitration: Gustavo Nogas (PR), Wagner Junior Bonfim Ledo (PR) and Andrey Luiz de Freitas (PR)
Yellow cards: Kevin (CAP), Petterson (FLA) Emerson (CAP), Felipe Brian (FLA) and Vinicius Kauê (CAP)
Goals: Chiquetti (29'1st half), Vinicius Kauê (48'1st half) and Rodriguinho (52'2nd half).