Flamengo started their journey in the Libertadores Sub-20 competition on the right foot. On Saturday night (7), at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, in Quito, at an altitude of 2.850 meters, the Rubro-Negro beat Estudiantes de Mérida 4-1, and made a good showing in their debut in the competition. Da Mata, Ryan Roberto, Alan Santos and Pablo Lúcio scored the goals for Flamengo, while Zambrano scored for the Venezuelans.

The game 

Despite facing the effects of altitude and a competitive opponent, the team led by Bruno Pivetti demonstrated superiority for most of the match and started the game pressing from the very first play. Within just 20 seconds, the team had already forced the first corner kick, showing an offensive posture and an advanced midfield line to deny Estudiantes space.

The first big opportunity came in the 15th minute. After a mistake in Estudiantes' build-up play, Josmar stole the ball in the attacking half, broke away alone towards goal and forced goalkeeper Moreno to make a save.

In the next play, at 16', Guilherme executed a beautiful feint in midfield and found Alan Santos at the edge of the area. The number 11 shot, but defender Vera managed to deflect it for a corner. From the corner, Ryan Roberto put spin on the ball, which reached the far post, where defender Da Mata rose higher than the Venezuelan defense and headed firmly to open the scoring: 1-0 for Flamengo.

Estudiantes responded quickly. In the 20th minute, after a throw-in, the ball fell to Zambrano, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, giving goalkeeper Leo Nannetti no chance: 1-1.

Even after the draw, Flamengo maintained its offensive posture and continued to control possession in the opponent's half.

At the 30-minute mark, Alan Santos reappeared at speed down the right flank and won another corner. Da Mata deflected the corner kick, and João Victor headed it over the goal. 

In stoppage time, a stunning goal put Flamengo back in the lead. In the 47th minute, Guilherme passed to Ryan Roberto on the left wing. The striker cut inside and unleashed a powerful, placed shot into the top corner.

After three minutes of added time, the referee ended the first half with Flamengo in the lead.

In the second half, Flamengo returned to the field maintaining the same strategy: control of possession and pressure in the attacking third.

In the 9th minute, Ryan Roberto stole the ball in midfield, dribbled past two defenders and shot dangerously, but the Venezuelan goalkeeper made a great save and sent it out for a corner. Alan Santos' corner kick caused confusion in the Estudiantes area and João Victor almost managed to finish into the goal.

The third Flamengo goal came in the 14th minute. Guilherme launched Alan Santos deep down the right flank. The play seemed under control, but goalkeeper Moreno misjudged the tackle, the ball hit defender Giménez and fell perfectly for the number 7 to finish into the back of the net: 3-1.

From then on, the opponent felt the blow and began to play almost exclusively on defense. Flamengo, in turn, took control of the match, creating opportunities until extending their lead again in the final minutes. In the 48th minute, Guilherme made a great pass through the middle and Pablo Lúcio appeared to finish, lobbing the goalkeeper Moreno and sealing the rout: 4-1.

After five minutes of added time, the referee ended the match in Quito, confirming Flamengo's victory in their opening match of the U-20 Libertadores Cup and their leadership of Group A.

Next match

The Flamengo youth team returns to the field next Tuesday (10) to face Bolívar, at 17 pm (19 pm, Brasília time), at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium, which is also located in Quito, for the second round of the U-20 Libertadores. FlamengoTV will broadcast the match, with images.

Credits

Flamengo 3-1 Estudiantes de Mérida – Match 1 of the Group Stage | Libertadores Sub-20

Location: Atahualpa Olympic Stadium – Quito, Ecuador

Date and time: March 7, 2026 at 7 PM (9 PM Brasília time)

Referees: Heran Gaston Heras Acosta (URU), Mathias Muniz Castro (URU), Belen Clavijo Perez (URU) and Sebastian Nicolas Martinez (ARG)

Yellow cards: Gustavo Ramires (FLA), Da Mata (FLA), Pablo Lúcio (FLA)

Goals: Da Mata (17'1st half); Néstor Zambrano (20'1st half); Ryan Roberto (47'1st half); Alan Santos (14'2nd half); Pablo Lúcio (48'2nd half)

Flamengo

Leo Nannetti; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Da Mata and Gustavo Ramires (Gusttavo Sousa); Kaio Nóbrega (Lucas Vieira) and Luiz Felipe; Guilherme, Alan Santos (João Camargo) and Ryan Roberto (Pablo Lúcio); Josmar (João Vitor Couto). Coach: Bruno Pivetti.

Estudiantes de Mérida

Andrés Moreno; Luis Vera (Darwin Montañez), Diego Gimenez (Juan Rivas), José Montilla and Edwin Dugarte; Diego Mejías; Fernando Molina (Yohendry Varela) and Néstor Zambrano (Keiver Urquiola); Yohandry Lacruz; Edgar Dávila (Eduardo Rojas) and Ander Izarra. Coach: Ildemaro Fernández.