Flamengo U-20s drew with Botafogo at Engenhão this Saturday (April 25.04) in the Guanabara Cup. Now, the juniors of "Mais Querido" face the black and white team in the final game to determine the tournament champion. Having had the better campaign in the qualifying phase, coach Zé Ricardo's team plays with the advantage of two draws in the Guanabara Cup finals. Cafú and Thiago Santos scored for the Rubro-Negro.

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"It was a great game. Both teams earned their place in the final. I think Flamengo didn't start well, but after the timeout, we improved and played very effectively in the second half. Regarding the draw, we could have expected that because Botafogo has a lot of firepower," revealed coach Zé Ricardo. He assured that the team will not change its style of play, even with the advantage. "It won't change anything for the next game. If we play to draw, we'll end up losing. We've played the same way throughout the championship, and we'll continue that way. I hope we play better in Gávea. We have to show a lot of respect and care for Botafogo."

Flamengo entered the field without top scorer Douglas Baggio, but with left-back Jorge, who has already played for the national team. The red-and-black team started with Daniel, Thiago Ennes, Léo Duarte, Rafael Dumas, Ronaldo, Jorge, Cafú, Matheus Sávio, Felipe Vizeu, Jajá, and Marquinhos.

In the second minute, Cafú launched a pass to Matheus Savio, but Botafogo goalkeeper Saulo anticipated it. Five minutes later, Jajá fired a powerful shot, but the ball went too high. In the ninth and 17th minutes, Cafú made good plays and was only stopped by a foul. The midfielder went in search of a goal in the 35th minute, demonstrating his determination throughout the match. Despite this, the first half ended in a 0-0 draw. Four minutes into the second half, Botafogo scored the first goal through Lima. 

The red-and-black response was not long in coming. Five minutes later, striker Marquinhos stole the ball in the attacking half and crossed to Cafú, who burst through the defense and slotted it into the goalkeeper's corner. The goal fueled the red-and-black appetite, and in the 15th minute, Jajá fired a long-range shot that fell, but not enough to surprise Saulo. Three minutes later, Cafú appeared again to shoot, but the Botafogo goalkeeper saved. 

The pace of the match slowed until, in the 36th minute, Daniel had to make a great save from a free kick taken by Emerson. In the 39th minute, Thiago Santos stole the ball from the black-and-white defense and dribbled past Saulo. He then simply tapped it into the back of the net: 2-1. Five minutes later, Vinícius Tanque equalized for the black-and-white team. The trophy final was postponed until next week.