Another great show from the Ninho Boys! In the final round of the Brazilian Under-17 Championship qualifying round, Flamengo thrashed Bahia 6-2 on Saturday afternoon (03), in Gávea. The Rubro-Negro's goals were scored by Mateus Dias (3), Victor Hugo and Petterson (2). With the result, the Mais Querido finished the first round of the championship in first place in the overall standings and will face Atlético-MG in the quarterfinals.

The game
The first half began with the Garotos do Ninho attacking Bahia, and just seven minutes in, with their first good attack, Mengão opened the scoring! Rodriguinho made a good individual play on the right, burst into the box, and was brought down. The referee pointed to the spot. Penalty in favor of Flamengo! Mateus Dias stepped up to take the penalty and converted: 1-0.

Following this, the Mais Querido continued to press and scored the second goal in the 11th minute. Petterson received the ball on the left and crossed low to Victor Hugo, who was free and just had to tap it into the net: 2-0. With the advantage on the scoreboard, the red-black team had the peace of mind to exchange passes in Bahia's midfield in search of the third.

In the 38th minute, Mengão extended their lead! Victor Hugo received the ball on the right side of the box and crossed for Petterson to head into the goalkeeper's left corner: 3-0. Having largely dominated the game during the first half, the Garotos do Ninho went into the break with a comfortable lead.

Early in the second half, in the fifth minute, Rubro-Negro scored their fourth! After putting pressure on Bahia's attacking play, Matheus França struck hard on goal. The ball deflected off the defense and fell to Petterson, who fired a first-time shot into the goalkeeper's right corner: 4-0.

In the 26th minute, Bahia reduced the deficit after a penalty kick from Patrick: 4-1. It didn't take long for Mengão to score the fifth in the 34th minute. Matheus França made an excellent run down the right and crossed low behind. Mateus Dias gave a subtle backheel touch into the back of the net: 5-1.

Soon after, Bahia scored the second goal with Betinho, a beautiful shot from the edge of the box: 5-2. And there was still time for Flamengo's sixth! Adriel arrived well on the left flank and rolled the ball into the middle. Mateus Dias finished for the goal and completed his hat trick of the match, giving the final score to the red-and-black rout at Gávea: 6-2.     

In the day's other games for the Copa Rio, Flamengo lost to Vasco in the Under-15 (3-2) and Under-17 (2-0) categories.

Flamengo lineup
Dyogo; Samuel (Julio), JP, Darlan (Diego Clemente) and Gustavo Gonçalo; Dudu (Vitor Fonseca), Matheus França (Lucas Agueiro) and Rodriguinho (João Filipe); Victor Hugo, Mateus Dias and Petterson (Adriel).

Bahia lineup
Gabriel; Wesley, Kauã Davi, Nathan and Rafael Soares; George, Vitinho and Abraao; Gustavo Kawa, Patrick and Leonardo Casaes.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 6x2 Bahia - 9th Round of the Brazilian Under-17 Championship
Location: José Bastos Padilha Stadium, Gávea-RJ
Date: 03 / 07 / 2021
Referee: Rafael Martins de Sá (RJ)
Assistants: Guilherme Vogas Tavares (RJ) and Marcus Vinicius Machado (RJ)
Yellow cards: Wesley (BAH), Rodriguinho (FLA)
Goals: Mateus Dias (7'1st half, 34'2nd half and 45'2nd half), Victor Hugo (11'1st half), Petterson (38'1st half and 5'2nd half) and Betinho (37'2nd half).

Check out Mengão's goals in the match: