In a delayed match from the 14th round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, Flamengo delivered a solid performance and beat Chapecoense 3-1 on Saturday afternoon (09), at Arena Condá. The goals for Rubro-Negro were scored by Pedro Arthur, Thiaguinho, and Matheus França. With the victory, Mengão took the lead in the competition (36 points) with one round remaining in the qualifying phase.

The game
Flamengo started the match looking to attack and valuing possession in midfield. At three minutes, the high-pressure marking worked, Andre stole the ball in midfield and took a shot, which went over the goal. At 10 minutes, Andre set up Matheus França at the edge of the area, the number 10 took a shot and the goalkeeper made a save in the corner.

Three minutes later, Flamengo opened the scoring! Pedro Arthur made a good individual play on the left, entered the area and shot low. Goalkeeper Sivaldo ended up getting tangled up and let the ball in: 1-0. With the lead, the Flamengo youth team didn't let the pace drop and continued with high pressing, which made it very difficult for Chapecoense to build attacks.

At 21 minutes, in a quick counter-attack down the right, Ruan received the ball inside the area and leveled the score: 1-1. After achieving the equalizer, the Chapecó team balanced the game more and began to occupy the attacking half.

Flamengo took the lead in the 36th minute! Thiaguinho capitalized on a scramble in the box and finished into the back of the net: 2-1. At the very end of the first half, Flamengo extended their lead with a fantastic goal! Matheus França received the ball on the left side of the box, cut inside, and unleashed a beautiful shot into the top left corner of the goal: 3-1.  

In the second half, Flamengo maintained the same intensity and continued to create opportunities in attack. In the 21st minute, Ítalo went down the left on a counter-attack, entered the area and shot firmly. The ball hit the crossbar. The Flamengo youth team controlled the match and gave Chapecoense no space to attack.  

At the 30-minute mark, Luan went to the byline and crossed into the box. Ryan Luka headed the ball down, as is typical, and Sivaldo stretched out to make a great save and prevent Flamengo's fourth goal. In the final minutes, Flamengo valued possession, managed the result, and left the field with an important victory that secured them first place in the championship.

Next appointment
Flamengo Sub-20 returns to the field next Tuesday (12) to face Athletico-PR, at 15:15 pm, at CT do Caju, for the last round of the Brazilian Championship's qualifying phase.

Technical sheet
Chapecoense 1-3 Flamengo – 14th Round of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship
Location: Arena Condá, Chapecó-SC
Date: 09 / 10 / 2021
Referee: Gunar Nunes de Abreu Welsch (SC)
Assistants: Ericles Izaura Artuzi (SC) and Aline Risso (SC)
Yellow cards: Matheus Buzatto (CHA), Yuri (FLA), Bruno (CHA), Luan (FLA), Kayque Soares (FLA), Ruan (CHA) and Thiaguinho (FLA)
Goals: Pedro Arthur (13'1st half), Ruan (21'1st half), Thiaguinho (36'1st half) and Matheus França (45'1st half).

Flamengo lineup
Matheus Cunha; Luan, Kayque Soares (Milani), Otavio and Marcos Paulo (Ítalo); Daniel Cabral (Igor Jesus), Yuri (Peralta) and Matheus França; Thiaguinho (Gabriel Barros), Pedro Arthur and Andre (Ryan Luka).
Coach: Fabio Matias.