Playing on one of the most traditional stages of Rio de Janeiro football, the Estádio Proletário Guilherme da Silveira, popularly known as “Moça Bonita”, the Flamengo U-17 team beat Bangu this Saturday afternoon (22), by 3-0, goals by Gomes, Rhyan and Yuri, for the 23rd round of the Taça Guanabara U-17. With the red-black victory and Vasco's draw in the classic against Fluminense by 1x1, the Garotos do Ninho regain the leadership of the competition, with 58 points, and arrive at the last round with the possibility of lifting the trophy without needing to hope for other results, they just need to beat Portuguesa. Flamengo faces Lusa next Saturday (29), at 13 pm, in Gávea.

With their sights set on the lead, Flamengo took to the field already knowing that Vasco, the then-leader with 56 points, had drawn with Fluminense. A simple victory over Bangu was all the Flamengo youth team needed to reclaim first place and consequently reach the final round of the Taça Guanabara with a chance at the title.

The scoreline that Flamengo needed to achieve its objective began to take shape in the 22nd minute. Bruninho passed to Gomes, who, from the edge of the six-yard box, unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner to put the Mengão ahead in the match. The goal spurred Flamengo into action, and in the following minute, Daniel Cabral exchanged passes with Gomes in midfield. In the ensuing play, Daniel found Lázaro making a run down the left flank. The number 11 entered the area and shot with his left foot; the ball narrowly missed the crossbar. A second goal almost came.

Despite the unfavorable score, Bangu didn't back down and even managed to create two dangerous opportunities after a mistake by the Flamengo defense. Towards the end of the first half, number 9 Robert won the challenge against Natan, took goalkeeper Pedro out of the play, and shot weakly. To the relief of the Flamengo fans present at the stadium, Ítalo cleared the ball before it crossed the goal line.

The second half began with both teams launching attacks, leaving space for the opponent to act with speed. Despite the back-and-forth play, the home team lacked finishing and failed to create any real danger for goalkeeper Pedro. In the 10th minute, Flamengo launched a good counter-attack down the left. Ítalo crossed into the area, the ball deflected off the opposing defense and fell to Lázaro, whose shot hit the post. Flamengo continued to press down that flank, and it wasn't long before the goal came. In the 12th minute, Ítalo delivered another low cross, and Rhyan was there in the six-yard box like a true center forward to push the ball into the back of the net. 

The 2-0 scoreline didn't make the Flamengo youth team complacent. In the 24th minute, Dhouglas, who had come on at halftime replacing Daniel Cabral, exchanged passes with João Gabriel and, while controlling the ball inside the area, was brought down. The referee awarded a penalty. Yuri took the kick, sending the goalkeeper one way and the ball the other, extending the lead. Flamengo still had at least two more opportunities to score, but the 3-0 result was a more than adequate scoreline for their aspirations in the competition.