The Boys of the Nest defeated Cruzeiro 1-0 at Gávea, with a goal from Felipe Teresa and an assist from Iago, in a match valid for the fourth round of the Brasileirão U-20. With the victory, Mengão reached nine points in the competition and is fighting for its third national championship.

Flamengo began imposing its style of play right from the start. Five minutes in, Hassan received the ball at the edge of the box and took a chance with a beautiful shot, forcing the goalkeeper to put it out for a corner. The match remained even after that, with Cruzeiro coming out more and overcoming the red-and-blacks' pressing. In the 26th minute, Lucas Furtado saved Flamengo by coming face-to-face with the striker and making a great save. 

During the technical break, Mario Jorge had to adjust his starting eleven, and scoring chances began to appear again. Wallace Yan led the way with three of them. First, the number 10 found Weliton, who ended up wasting the ball in front of goal. Then, Wallace himself headed a dangerous shot after a Shola cross, and then, in the 39th minute, the attacking midfielder took a left-footed shot, but the goalkeeper saved.

In the second half, Mengão continued to play better. Ten minutes in, they were left with a man up after the opposing midfielder was sent off for committing a foul and received a second yellow card for complaining. From Jean Carlos' free kick, Iago headed the ball into the middle of the box, but the opposing defense prevented Weliton and Carbone from reaching the ball.

The Minas Gerais team had to defend itself, and it became a game of attack versus defense. The Ninho Boys struggled to create chances because the opposing team was defensive. But from set pieces, scoring chances began to appear again. In the 31st minute, Jean Carlos took a perfect shot, and Iago headed wide, hitting the post. Soon after, it was Carbone's turn to try his luck from distance, but the opposing goalkeeper made a difficult save. 

It didn't take long for Mengão to score. Once again, the Jean-Iago duo performed well from a set piece, and the U-20 captain provided the assist for Felipe Teresa to score the winning goal. Flamengo ended up having Fabiano sent off shortly after for a second yellow card, but withstood the pressure and came away with three more points in the Brasileirão. Mengão now returns to the field for the sixth round, against Grêmio, in Rio Grande do Sul, next Thursday (9).

Game sheet

Flamengo 1x0 Cruzeiro

Location and time: Gávea, at 14 pm

Goal: Felipe Teresa (2nd 35')

Yellow cards: Flamengo - Rayan Lucas, Wallace Yan, Jean Carlos, Fabiano (2); Cruzeiro - H. Silva (2), André

Red cards: Flamengo - Fabiano; Cruzeiro - H. Silva

Lineup: Lucas Furtado; Daniel Sales (Lucyan), Iago, João Souza, Carbone (Ainoã); Rayan Lucas (Fabiano), Jean Carlos, Wallace Yan (Victor Silva); Hassan (Pedro Estevam), Shola, Weliton (Felipe Teresa)