Rarely has the "Race, Love and Passion" chant echoing through the always packed Maracanã stands been so well represented on the field as on this hot Saturday morning (15), at Nivaldo Pereira Stadium. Led by coach Phelipe Leal, Flamengo's U-17 team was, once again, a giant in every aspect. Trailing 1-0 and with one player down since the 30th minute of the first half, the "Garotos do Ninho" did not give up, were infinitely superior to their opponent from the opening whistle, pressed hard and created countless scoring chances throughout the game. 

The very fair 2-1 victory for Flamengo (Gabriel Noga and Lázaro) puts the Mais Querido in the final of the Guanabara Cup, against the winner of Fluminense vs. Volta Redonda, who face each other this Saturday. Before that, next Wednesday, Flamengo visits Athético PR at Arena da Baixada, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Championship of the Category.

Flamengo were far superior on the field and pressing hard in search of the first goal when, in the 25th minute, Vasco opened the scoring on a quick counterattack. Arthur received the ball at the edge of the box and flicked it past Bruno, who had no chance to save it. The Boys from the Nest didn't give up and continued to press. In the 28th minute, Lázaro fired a low shot from outside the box, to the right of goalkeeper Cadu's goal. The following minute, Lázaro crossed with his outside of the box, Weverton narrowly missed it, and the defense cleared the danger.

Even down to ten men after Daniel Cabral's red card, the Red-Blacks continued to press. In the 41st minute, Carlos Daniel unleashed a rocket from outside the box, which flew just wide of the Vasco crossbar in the final play before halftime.

The second half began much as the first had ended. In the fourth minute, Carlos Daniel unleashed a firecracker, and the ball grazed Cadu's right post. In the seventh minute, Lázaro took a free kick, and the goalkeeper made the save without rebounding. It was all Flamengo. In the 14th minute, it was Lázaro who unleashed a mid-range bomb, which Cadu made a great save. In the 27th minute, Lázaro again. This time he lobbed it, but the ball sailed too high and went over the opponent's goal.

The red-and-black pressure was unbearable, and the equalizer finally came in the 28th minute. After Murillo's free kick, the goalkeeper slammed it shut, and captain Gabriel Noga, with grit and opportunism, leveled the score. The Boys from the Nest were looking for a comeback and a spot in the final. In the 31st minute, Weverton crossed and Carlos Daniel fired a first-time shot into the net from the outside. And the heroic comeback came in the 36th minute. Murillo took a free kick, the ball deflected off the wall, and the ball fell perfectly to Lázaro, who rightfully put the Boys from the Nest in the final of the Taça Guanabara, despite playing 65 minutes with ten men. 

Flamengo: Bruno, Marcos Felipe, Gabriel Noga, Otavio, Caio (Jean Carlos); Dhouglas (Murillo), Daniel Cabral, Lazaro; Pedro Arthur (Maycon), Carlos Daniel and Weverton. Coach: Phelipe Leal.