"Forget the advantage of a draw and go after the opponent!" That was the order that came from the Flamengo locker room minutes before the match between Flamengo and Madureira, in the semifinal of the U-20 Rio Cup, began at Edson Passos Stadium. And the Mais Querido youth team didn't hesitate and heeded the request made by coach Cleber dos Santos.

Under a blazing sun and watched by club president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, the red-and-black team wasted no time and launched into an attack in the first half. It didn't take long for Douglas Baggio to open the scoring for Flamengo in the 22nd minute, following a perfect cross from Igor Sartori. This was the tenth goal for the striker, who is the competition's top scorer. Madureira was trying to capitalize on counterattacks and harassed the red-and-black defense with a rocket from Lucas, but luckily for the red-and-black fans, the ball hit the outside of the net.

Flamengo's number 10, Thomás, used his experience gained during his professional career to lead the match alongside Sartori and Douglas Baggio. He scored in the 37th minute, but was caught offside. In the second half, Thomás used his talent, made a beautiful play, and scored a stunning goal from outside the box to extend Flamengo's lead. The midfielder celebrated with the fans, expressing his joy at scoring his sixth goal in five matches: "I'm very happy to have scored this goal and, above all, to have helped the team qualify for the final of the competition," said Thomás after the match.

Flamengo had a scare late in the match. After a defensive blunder, Juninho pulled one back for Madureira, but nothing that shook the red-and-black team, which left the field with the victory and qualification for the Taça Rio final. "We worked hard all week looking for the win and balance within our team. And today on the field, we played well, putting in a great performance that secured us this favorable score," said coach Cleber dos Santos, pleased with the result.

Undefeated, Flamengo will face Nova Iguaçu next weekend. If the red-and-black team wins the Rio Cup, they will face Fluminense in the state final, as the Tricolor is the current Guanabara Cup champion.