Giants! Ten games, nine wins, one draw, and two titles. This is the result of the tour of the U-16 team, led by Mario Jorge, by the United Arab Emirates and Italy over the last month. After winning the Dubai International Championship for the second time undefeated and crushing all opponents, the Mais Querido repeated the recipe and won the unprecedented title of the traditional Verona Soccer Cup on Wednesday afternoon (01), also undefeated and beating European giant Milan twice in two days. 

In the grand final, Flamengo crushed the Milanese team throughout regulation time, creating countless chances and seeing the ball stubbornly refuse to go in. Cornered and unable to even get past the halfway line, Milan simply defended and prayed for the game to end. For a moment, the strong prayer paid off for the Italians. But in the penalty shootout, the red-and-blacks' concentration and technical quality spoke louder, and the "Mais Querido" won 3-1 (Diego, Richard, and Ryan Luka) and celebrated the second international title in the category in 2019, quite rightly and deservedly.

Flamengo started better and pressed for a goal. In the second minute, Richard sent a low cross into the box, and the ball went inches past Ryan Luka, who narrowly missed the ball to open the scoring. In the ninth minute, Victor Hugo headed the ball just wide of the Milan team's right post. The Mais Querido were superior on the field, and the first goal was ripe for development. In the 16th minute, Kayque made a great play down the right and crossed for Ryan Luka's head, but the defense cleared the danger at the perfect time.

In the 23rd minute, after a beautiful triangulation involving João Pedro and Richard, Victor Hugo attempted a cross-shot and was once again blocked by the Milan defense. The red-and-blacks' dominance and superiority in the game were blatant. In the 25th minute, Daniel Campos took a chance from outside the box, and the Italian goalkeeper made a great save, palming it away for a corner. In the last play before halftime, Ryan Luka burst into the box and shot, forcing another good save from the Milan goalkeeper. The referee blew the first-half whistle, and what was seen was the red-and-blacks lamenting the scoreline, while the European giants were grateful for the XNUMX-XNUMX draw.

The match remained even in the second half. Just three minutes in, Arthur struck from the edge of the box, putting Milan's goal in danger. In the eighth minute, Daniel Campos made a great play and delivered a beautiful pass to João Pedro, whose shot was blocked inside the box. In the 13th minute, João Pedro lined up, burst into the box, and passed a sweet ball to Ryan Luka. Unmarked, he made a poor connection and practically back-passed it to the goalkeeper. 

Flamengo created plenty of chances, overwhelmed the opposition, but the ball refused to go in. In the 18th minute, João Pedro struck a powerful shot to the right of the goal. In the 21st minute, João Pedro raced to the edge of the box and fired a low shot, which the Italian goalkeeper saved again. In the 26th minute, the Mais Querido (The Most Beloved) arrived again. Kayque provided excellent support and crossed for João Pedro, who headed the ball over the goal, the last chance for the Garotos do Ninho (The Nest Boys) in regulation time.

Then came the penalty shootouts. Undeterred, the Ninho Boys maintained their concentration and composure at the highest level. Diego, Richard, and Ryan Luka scored, the Italians missed three penalties, and, deservedly and justly, Flamengo won 3-1, and the red-and-black youth team celebrated another international title this season. Let's go, Flamengo!

Flamengo: Hugo, Kayque, Diego, Kaiky, Richard; Arthur, Daniel Campos, Victor Hugo; João Pedro, Oliveira and Ryan Luka. Coach: Mario Jorge.