In the first round of the Campeonato Carioca Sub-20, Flamengo beat Portuguesa 2-1, on Saturday morning (26), at the Luso-Brasileiro stadium, on Ilha do Governador.

The Garotos do Ninho fell behind on the scoreboard, but turned the game around with two goals from Matheusão, the red-black star of the match.

The game
Flamengo started the game dominating the action. The Ninho Boys had possession, looking for space, but struggled against the opposing defense. The first goal-scoring opportunity came in the 15th minute; after a lofted pass from Kayke David, Victor Hugo shot, but the ball was blocked.

At 17, after a throw-in, Kauan Souza controlled the ball in the area, made an individual play and opened the scoring for Portuguesa: 0-1.

In the final stretch of the first half, Flamengo created a significant threat. After Kayke David's cross from the right, the ball rebounded into the box and fell to Victor Hugo, but his shot exploded off the defense. Next came Flamengo's best chance of the game so far: André found Victor Hugo in the middle, and the Flamengo striker fired a shot into the corner. The ball hit the goalkeeper, the post, and fell to André on the rebound, but his shot was wide and the opposing defense cleared it just wide of the goal.

Flamengo equalized in the second half. Matheus Gonçalves and Matheusão, who had just come on, exchanged passes in the middle, and the midfielder cut to the right flank; from there, Matheusão ​​delivered a cross, finishing inside the box: 1-1.

And the Ninho Boys quickly went in search of a comeback. Matheus Gonçalves found Victor Hugo inside the box, he deflected the ball, and it skimmed the post.

At 14, Daniel Cabral made a beautiful play and passed to Matheusão ​​in depth; the striker finished for a good save by the opposing goalkeeper, on the rebound Daniel Cabral tried to head, but the goalkeeper kept the ball.

Next, Wesley led a counterattack and passed to Matheus Gonçalves on the right; after the cross, the ball fell to Petterson, who controlled it and finished with great danger.

The red-and-black pressure soon paid off. After a short corner kick, the ball reached Daniel Cabral, who lifted it into the box, and Matheusão ​​appeared to finish once again. The striker's second goal of the match: 2-1.

And Flamengo continued to push for the goal. Matheus Gonçalves and Petterson both hit the post with good chances in the final minutes of the match. But Matheusão's goals sealed the victory.

Next appointment
The Garotos do Ninho return to the field next Saturday (2), to face Audax, at 9 am, in Gávea, for the second round of the Guanabara Cup, for the Under-20 Carioca Championship.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2x1 Portuguesa – 1st Round of the Under-20 Carioca Championship
Location: Luso-Brazilian Stadium, Governor's Island-RJ
Date: 26 / 03 / 2022
Referee: Thiago da Silva       
Assistants: Diogo Araujo and Felipe Gonçalves
Yellow cards: Matheus Lima (POR), Bruno (FLA) and Matheusão ​​(FLA)
Goals: Kauan Souza (17' 1st half) and Matheusão ​​(1' 2nd half and 24' 2nd half)

Fla's lineup:
Bruno; Wesley, Diego, Cleiton (Darlan) and Marcos Paulo; Daniel Cabral, Kayke David (Jean Carlos) and Pedro Arthur (Matheus Gonçalves); Petterson, André (Matheusão) and Victor Hugo (Ryan Luka).
Coach: Fabio Matias.

Portuguesa lineup:
Marlon Lins; Pedro Henrique (William), Cleydson, Guilherme Souza (Tavares), Flávio and Guilherme; Gabriel Baptista (Luiz Gabriel), Alexandre and Matheus Lima (Petra); Kauan Souza (Paulo Gustavo) and Micael (Alisson).
Coach: Marcelo Ferreira.