Flamengo continues its perfect performance at home in the U-20 State Championship. After defeating Boavista, Macaé, Madureira, and Carapebús, the victim of this hot Saturday morning (March 11.03) in Gávea, in a match valid for the eighth round of the U-20 Guanabara Cup, was Portuguesa-RJ. With a very solid performance in the second half, the "Garotos do Ninho" won 4-1 (Lucas Silva, Loran, Gabriel Silva, and Bill), and solidified their position in second place in Group A with 16 points, three behind leaders Botafogo. Next Saturday, March 18.03, Flamengo will travel to Resende to face the home team at 15 p.m.

The game started much the same as the last two rounds: blistering heat, and a goal for Portuguesa in the opening moments. Today's goal came just two minutes in. Kleber took a corner, Loran grazed the near post, and Lucas Silva headed in unmarked to open the scoring. Just when the fans were expecting a quiet Saturday, Portuguesa equalized in the fourth minute with Emerson. In the 4th minute, Kleber made a great individual play and crossed for Lucas Silva. He firmly hit the ball past goalkeeper Rafael, who made an excellent save. From then on, the pace slowed due to the intense heat. Portuguesa created another good chance only in the 15st minute, when right-back Kleber once again exchanged passes with Patrick and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, drawing another fine save from Rafael.

Flamengo returned for the second half with Michael replacing Moraes and also with a very different approach. Once again, two minutes in, Lucas Silva crossed and center forward Loran tapped it into the back of the net. The goal early in the second half gave the Ninho Boys a comfortable start, and from then on they built the victory with confidence and ease. In the 23rd minute, Gabriel Silva cut past the defender and scored the most beautiful goal of the day, a volley into the top corner. In the final minutes, Bill, who had replaced Patrick, tormented the Lusa defense. First, in the 42nd minute, when he made a beautiful individual play, dribbling past the same defender three times and crossing to Loran, who arrived a little late. He then faced the same defender and shot low, between the goalkeeper and the post, to score the fourth and seal the match's final score.

"Despite the rout, the game was very difficult. We scored early but conceded early too. This forced our opponent to play very defensively from the start, which created many difficulties for us in the match. At halftime, we managed to improve the tactical and technical aspects of some players and managed to build a good score, with a lot of movement and excellent triangulation. Maintaining a 100% record at Gávea is crucial in the championship. Even more so today, with our President cheering us on, in this 40-degree heat on a Saturday morning. This support is very significant for us, and we will go after the state title for Flamengo," said coach Gilmar Popoca. 

The Boys from the Nest entered the field with Lyon, Kleber (Juninho), Bernardo, Rafael, Moraes (Michael), Hugo Moura, Jean Lucas, Lucas Silva, Patrick (Bill), Gabriel Silva and Loran. 

Flamengo learned its opponent this week in the first round of the U-20 Brazil Cup. On April 5th, the Red-Blacks travel to Maceió to face CRB. A victory by two or more goals eliminates the return leg, scheduled for April 12th at Gávea. If they qualify, the Mais Querido will face the winner of the duel between Figueirense and Sport in the round of XNUMX.