Flamengo's U-20 team dominated this Sunday morning (07.05) in Gávea. In the opening derby of the Rio Cup, the second round of the state championship in this category, the "Garotos do Ninho" (The Nest Boys) took no notice and crushed Fluminense, the Guanabara Cup runner-up. The 0-4 rout (Vinícius Junior [0], Michael and Wesley) gives "Mais Querido" not only the lead in the Rio Cup, but also the best overall campaign in the competition, with 2 points. In the next round, the Rubro-Negro will play the derby against Botafogo at Engenhão next weekend. Before that, on Wednesday, the "Garotos do Ninho" face Bahia in Salvador, in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals with the advantage of a draw, after winning the first leg 35-1 in Gávea.

Flamengo started Sunday's derby with a bang. With a strong crowd and no breathing room for their opponents, the Red-Blacks needed just 14 minutes to take a 2-0 lead. First, Michael scored in the 10th minute, following a beautiful play featuring Gabriel Silva and Vinícius Junior. Soon after, Vinícius Junior doubled the lead. After 20 minutes, the Mais Querido (the most beloved) eased off and took their foot off the gas, largely due to the intense heat and the tough streak of matches the team has faced over the past few weeks.

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The second half began with a penalty awarded to Fluminense in the fourth minute. Proving his excellent form, Gabriel Batista saved the second penalty in a row (he had also saved it in the Copa do Brasil match against Figueirense in Florianópolis). More relaxed and with confidence soaring, the Garotos do Ninho kept the ball down and secured the rout. In the 4th minute, Gabriel Silva delivered a superb pass to Vinícius Junior, who slotted it past the goalkeeper for his second goal of the match. In the 16rd minute, Vinícius Junior delivered a beautiful pass, and full-back Wesley fired home the fourth goal, watching the Gávea stands erupt with joy.

Flamengo entered the field with Gabriel Batista, Kleber (Wesley), Bernardo, Thuler, Michael, Theo, Jean Lucas (Vinícius Souza), Lucas Silva, Gabriel Silva, Vinícius Junior and Lincoln (Loran). Coach: Gilmar Popoca.