Mengão's U-16 team, led by coach Leo Ramos, is in the semifinals of the Copa Brasileirinho Internacional U-17. In another solid performance, the Garotos do Ninho overcame their toughest match so far in the competition, beating the strong Serrano team from Petrópolis 2-1 (Luan Andrey and Lucas Matheus). Undefeated in the tournament, with a record of five wins and one draw, Mais Querido will face Cruzeiro this Tuesday (05) at 14 pm, at Toca da Raposa, in the fight for a place in the final. Juventude (RS) and Vitória (BA) play the other semifinal.

The game

Unlike previous matches, Flamengo struggled to assert its usual dominance in today's match against Serrano. Even so, despite not creating many chances, Mengão took a 2-0 lead in the first half. In the 17th minute, Eduardo Gabriel took a corner kick to the near post, and top scorer Luan Andrey got ahead of his marker to open the scoring. It was the Flamengo striker's 11th goal of the 2022 season. The duel remained very even. In the 29th minute, in a beautiful counterattack, Lucas Matheus received the ball and tapped it past the goalkeeper to extend the lead for the Garotos do Ninho and give them more confidence for the rest of the game.

Mengão returned from halftime determined to score a third goal and kill the game, but missed numerous opportunities. In the 14th minute, Serrano reduced the deficit with a penalty kick, adding to the excitement of the match. Very solid and consistent defensively, the Rubro-Negro managed to control and manage the first-half lead well, winning 2-1 and securing their spot in the Copa Brasileirinho Internacional semifinals.

Flamengo: Daniel Alves, Gusttavo, Victor, Felipe, Eduardo Gabriel; Luis Guilherme, Germano, Lucas Matheus; Marcelinho, Pyetro and Luan Andrey. Coach: Leo Ramos.