Werneck shone, saving three penalties in the shootout. (Photo: Gilvan de Souza/CRF)

"Qualified!!!" The chant, repeated repeatedly by the Ninho Boys on the Gávea pitch, crowned their qualification for the semifinals of the U-17 Brazil Cup. But it wasn't easy. After a 1-1 draw, Flamengo defeated Internacional-RS 3-2 on penalties, with Gabriel Werneck making three saves. Defender Daniel Carvalho scored Flamengo's goal in regulation time. Now, Flamengo will face Vasco in the fight for a spot in the final.

Perhaps due to the weight of a decisive match, the teams were somewhat nervous early on, with some technical errors on both sides. Even so, Flamengo managed to come closer to scoring. First, after a good play by Jhefinho, which ended in a dangerous cross from Ryan Roberto, and then with a shot by Daniel over the bar.

In the 32nd minute, Gabriel Amâncio entered the box and was tackled by his marker, but the referee allowed play to continue. Before the end of the first half, Pedro Henrique forced a good save from the Inter goalkeeper, palming the ball out for a corner. Defender Daniel headed the ball wide to the left.

The Ninho Boys came back from the break pressing, and just two minutes in, Daniel himself opened the scoring, taking advantage of a Ryan Roberto free kick. While Flamengo was playing well but couldn't find the final pass, their opponents, in turn, didn't threaten the Flamengo goalkeeper.

Until Colorado began to build momentum and even hit the post with a free kick, which saw Gabriel Werneck make a decisive intervention, deflecting the ball. The Rio Grande do Sul team was eager to make up for the deficit. Flamengo, on the other hand, tried to speed up the game, but failed to score.

The equalizer came after a scramble in the box in the 41st minute, when the ball fell to number 17, Richarlyson, who slotted it into the goalkeeper's right corner. Buoyed by the goal, Inter tried to press, but Flamengo nearly scored the second goal, thanks to a move by João Vitor, who crossed from the left, but no one could get there to finish. The exchanges were the tone of the match until the final whistle.

The draw forced the semifinal spot to be decided by penalties. And that's when Gabriel Werneck stepped in, making three saves from Raykkonen, Gabriel Vinicius, and Alisson. Edson and João Bezerra converted for Inter. For Flamengo, Luiz Felipe, João Vitor, and Kaio Gomes scored, and Enzo Pinheiro hit the post.

Now, the Garotos do Ninho will face Vasco on April 22nd and 29th, and will seek a place in the final.

Flamengo 1x1 Internacional
Goal: Daniel Carvalho - 2'/2H/On penalties: Luiz Felipe, João Vitor and Kaio
Starting eleven: Werneck; Heitor, Daniel Carvalho, Levi Dias, Gabriel Amâncio; João Ricardo, Jhefinho, Luiz Felipe; Pedro Henrique, Ryan Roberto, Victor Hugo.
José Bastos Padilha Stadium (Gávea)