Reinier shines, U-17 defeats Fluminense and wins the Copa do Brasil with grit and determination
Absences, illness, none of this prevented the title of a generation that won a lot in 2018
By Flamengo Communication - in
The year began with a youth title, and the year will end with a youth title. Champion of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup in January, Flamengo won the U-17 Brazil Cup at the Maracanã, defeating Fluminense 1-0 with a goal by Reinier, and lifting its first trophy in the competition. The U-17 team crowns a spectacular year. They had already won the Adidas Cup in Dallas and the Evergrande Cup in China.
The consecration of a generation of great promise and a star of the future, young Reinier. The number 10 scored his fifth goal in the Copa do Brasil, the competition's top scorer, and scored both of Flamengo's goals in the final matches. At 16, he possessed an adult's attitude and was crucial to the victory.
And a team that had to overcome itself. A mumps outbreak prevented the return leg and shook the team. Several players were absent, and players didn't train. With determination and the red-and-black spirit, the U-17 team lifted the trophy at Maracanã.
The game
Flamengo started the final better. Right from the start, the team exchanged one-twos, and the ball fell to Ítalo, who shot from distance, but goalkeeper Marcelo saved. Gradually, the match became more even. Flu responded with a header from Luan, which Pedro Victor saved, averting the danger.
At 14, there was no way out. João Gabriel made a great play down the left and crossed to Marcos Felipe. The midfielder laid it off to Reinier, who fired a first-time shot for his fifth goal of the Copa do Brasil. Five minutes later, he almost got his second. Daniel crossed from the right and Rhyan rose to head the ball powerfully, but the ball bounced and hit the crossbar.
The chances dwindled, but not completely. In the final minute, goalkeeper Pedro Victor shone, pulling off a miracle on a point-blank shot from Wallace. And the first half ended with Mengão still in the lead.
After the break, both teams were less aggressive, studying each other more. Flamengo had the first chance. In the eighth minute, Braian ran down the right and crossed perfectly for Reinier to head in, but the ball went wide of the Tricolor goal. Two minutes later, Reinier played a pass to Marcos Felipe from either side of the field, but the number seven shot over the bar, missing another good chance.
In the 26th minute, Pedro Victor made another spectacular save. João Pedro received a free kick in the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but the goalkeeper flew to the corner to prevent the equalizer. It was no use. With grit, the Manto, and a lot of red-and-black spirit, Mengão won the trophy at Maracanã! They're champions!