Flamengo was winning against Avaí-SC by 2x1 until the 50th minute of the second half, when the Santa Catarina team equalized and gave the final score to the match, valid for the 19th round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. The result left Rubro-Negro out of the quarterfinals of the competition. The match was played this Wednesday (1), at Ninho do Urubu. Da Mata and Pablo, from a penalty, scored for Fla.

The result, and especially the elimination in the final moments of the match, is a difficult blow for Flamengo's under-20 team to accept. It's worth noting, however, that coach Marcelo Salazar has not yet lost since taking over the team less than a month ago. He has managed the team in five games.

Furthermore, in the last round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship qualifying phase, the coach was unable to count on the players who are part of the main team during the preseason in Portugal. These are: defender João Victor Souza, one of the team's captains, midfielder Guilherme, right-back Daniel Sales, left-back Johnny, forward Alan Santos, and midfielder Joshua. Goalkeeper Leo Nannetti is training with the Brazilian national team competing in the World Cup and is another absence. Forward Josmar, suspended, and left-back Ramires, with a thigh injury, were also unavailable.

The game

Avai started better and came close twice in the first four minutes of play, both from corner kicks. The opponent attacked again in the 9th minute, with a header wide to the left by Gabriel Werneck. Then, in a quick counter-attack, number 11 Kevin scored the first goal for the Santa Catarina team in the 12th minute.

Flamengo attacked strongly in the 18th minute, with a shot from Jhefinho that the goalkeeper parried, and on the rebound, Sayago shot for another good save by the Avaí number 1. The Rubro-Negro grew in the game, pressed forward, and the equalizer almost came in the 20th minute when Sayago received a pass from Gusttavo and shot against the crossbar. Shortly after, Da Mata took advantage of a loose ball from a corner kick and shot hard, tying the game in the 21st minute. Gusttavo crossed perfectly for Camargo, who headed over the goal in the 35th minute. There were no more plays that threatened the defenses until the referee ended the first half.

Upon returning from halftime, just one minute in, Flamengo had a chance: Sayago received a pass from Pablo and shot over the crossbar. Despite having more possession, Flamengo struggled to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. In the 18th minute, Avaí had a shot inside the area that was safely saved by Gabriel Werneck.

The second Flamengo goal almost came from Chape, who had just come on for Jhefinho. The midfielder shot hard, but the opponent made a sliding tackle to save it in the 26th minute. Four minutes later, Sayago shot from inside the area and the Avaí goalkeeper made the save. In the 41st minute, Camargo headed dangerously and Victor Hugo almost managed to finish. Avaí counter-attacked immediately afterwards and Gabriel Werneck made a great save.

Flamengo responded with a cross from Sayago to Camargo on the left. The striker controlled the ball and was brought down inside the area. Pablo took the penalty accurately, placing it in the left corner and scoring the second goal in the 45th minute. Avaí, however, equalized in the 50th minute through Da Silva, shortly before the referee ended the match.