In the first leg of the Carioca Sub-20 final, Flamengo was defeated by Fluminense 4-1 on Wednesday afternoon (22), in Laranjeiras. The only goal of Mais Querido was scored by João Pedro, still in the first half.

The game
Mengão started the match attacking Fluminense, and just two minutes in, they created the first good opportunity. Daniel Cabral took a shot from outside the box, but the ball deflected off the defender and sailed just wide of the post. Soon after, the Garotos do Ninho opened the scoring! Thiaguinho led a counterattack and passed to João Pedro, who tapped it into the back of the net: 1-0.

After the ball went out, Fluminense reacted quickly and equalized the score with John Kennedy, who finished inside the six-yard box: 1-1. At 14', the team from Laranjeiras turned the score around, again with John Kennedy, who took advantage of the corner kick and finished with a header: 2-1.

Three minutes later, Flamengo extended their lead with Yago's effort to 3-1. After falling behind, Flamengo resumed imposing their rhythm and occupying the attacking half. In the 32nd minute, Thiaguinho passed the ball to Lázaro inside the box, who fired a first-time shot that the goalkeeper made a good save. In the 44th minute, João Pedro made a good run down the left, cut inside, and shot. Thiago Gonçalves stretched to prevent Flamengo's second goal.

In the second half, Flamengo came back determined to equalize and managed to maintain possession of the ball for longer in attack. In the eighth minute, Daniel Cabral took a free kick from the left edge of the box, forcing the goalkeeper to put it out for a corner.

In the 27th minute, Flamengo created a great chance. Matheus França received the ball at the edge of the box and struck hard. The ball carelessly hit both posts and didn't go in. Fluminense scored the fourth goal in the 39th minute, again through John Kennedy, who scored his third goal of the match.

With the defeat, Rubro-Negro will have to win by four goals to win the Rio title. If they win by three, the decision will go to penalties. The return match is scheduled for next Thursday (30), at 10 am, in Gávea.

Next appointment
The Garotos do Ninho return to the field next Sunday (26) to face Santos, at 10 am, at CT Rei Pelé, for the 17th round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.

Technical sheet
Fluminense 4x1 Flamengo – First Leg of the U-20 Carioca Championship Finals
Location: Laranjeiras, RJ
Date: 22 / 09 / 2021
Referee: João Marcos Gonçalves Fernandes
Assistants: Jonathan Vicente Pascoal and Lucas Castro dos Santos
Yellow cards: Marcos Pedro (FLU), Marcos Paulo (FLA) and Yago (FLU)
Red card: Lázaro (FLA)
Goals: João Pedro (6'1st half), John Kennedy (7'1st half, 14'1st half and 39'2nd half), Yago (17'1st half).
Fla's lineup:
João Fernando; Luan, Kayque Soares, Cleiton and Marcos Paulo (Italo); Daniel Cabral, Yuri (Ryan Luka) and Lázaro; Thiaguinho, João Pedro (Matheus França) and André.
Coach: Fabio Matias.