Flamengo's youth soccer continues to captivate the world in the 2019 season. After the Under-16 team's undefeated victories in the Dubai and Verona Tournaments, it's now the Under-14 team's turn, led by coach Leonardo Cherede. This Saturday (18), the "Garotos do Ninho" took to the field twice, in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Abano Football Trophy. And they achieved two victories. In the morning, Flamengo beat Fiorentina 1-0, with a goal from Lucas Matheus. 

A few hours later, another victory, and in the pouring rain. In a match against Napoli, where Flamengo dominated from the first minute to the last, the ball refused to go in. Three shots hit the post—two by number 10 Matheus Gonçalves and one by Adriel—in addition to numerous saves by the Italian goalkeeper. Just when it seemed the final spot would be decided on penalties, Guilherme Potter made a brilliant play and crossed perfectly for Lucas Matheus, who scored his fifth goal of the tournament and sent Flamengo undefeated into another international final this season. Their opponent will be Valencia of Spain. Learn how the match unfolded below.

In the seventh minute, Matheus Gonçalves took a shot from outside the box, threatening the Napoli goal. In the tenth minute, Lucas Matheus shot from the edge of the box, but the Italian goalkeeper made a confident save. Flamengo were the better team and pressed forward in search of the first goal. In the 19th minute, Adriel fired a low shot, and the ball capriciously exploded off the Italian post. The Flamengo goal was growing, but in an isolated play, Napoli threatened in the 23rd minute. Victor Darub stood tall and made a great save, blocking a shot from the Italian striker face-to-face.

In the 30th minute, Matheus Gonçalves was awarded a free kick near the half-moon. He took the shot himself, with great skill, and saw the ball hit the crossbar. Napoli reached the 11-minute mark. After a corner kick and confusion in the red-and-black box, the shot went high and over Victor Darub's goal. Napoli hit the post for the third time in the match in the 13th minute, again with Matheus Gonçalves, appearing well in the box after a cross from Hernandes.

The Boys of the Nest dominated the match, creating chance after chance, but the ball refused to go in. In the 24th minute, Paulo Roberto, who had come off the bench in the second half, received a great pass, beat his marker with speed, and fired a cross, forcing another good save from the Italian goalkeeper. Flamengo's battle for so much effort was rewarded in the final play of the game. In stoppage time, Guilherme Potter made a great play down the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for top scorer Lucas Matheus to tap in, scoring his fifth goal of the competition and sending Flamengo into another international final in the 2019 season.

Flamengo: Victor Darub, Ronald Manaus, Raphael, Erick, Hernandes; Daniel, Adriel (Paulo Roberto), Rayan Lucas; Lucas Loureiro (Guilherme Potter), Matheus Gonçalves and Lucas Matheus. Coach: Leonardo Cherede.