The infernal heat in Bangu was a hindrance, but it didn't stop Flamengo's U-15 and U-17 teams from putting on two more stunning performances in the State Championship, thrashing Portuguesa 5-0 (Matheus França [2], Darlan, João Vitor and Petterson) and 4-0 (Lázaro, Marcos Felipe, Otávio and Pedro Arthur), respectively. The results keep both teams at 100% record after two rounds of the competition, and the U-17s open up an advantage in the standings, as Fluminense, Vasco and Botafogo all stumbled in the round. On Wednesday (10), the Garotos do Ninho host Barra da Tijuca, in Gávea, for both categories, in duels scheduled for 9 am and 10:45 am.

Already under intense heat, the U-15s were the first to take the field. In the 13th minute, Marquinhos took a free kick into the box. The seemingly unassuming ball was cleared by the defense and only missed the top corner because goalkeeper Caio Murilo was alert and made the save. From the corner kick, Matheus França rose with style and headed beautifully, leaving Caio Murilo with no chance. The second almost came in the 19th minute. Matheus França carried the ball and rolled it to Marquinhos at the edge of the box. He fired a superb shot, and the ball neatly hit the foot of the post. On the rebound, João Vitor unleashed a powerful shot over Portuguesa's goal.

Flamengo extended their lead in the 22nd minute with a goal that felt like a repeat of the first. In a well-rehearsed play, Matheus França took a corner kick, Cauan Emanuel grazed the near post, and Darlan was well-positioned to finish into the back of the net. 

Just like their debut against Bangu, the Garotos do Ninho didn't slow down in the second half. Seven minutes in, Portuguesa's defense attempted to set up an offside trap. João Vitor was smarter, staying on his line, and appeared alone in front of goal. With composure and skill, he dribbled past the goalkeeper and slowly rolled the ball in to score Mais Querido's third goal of the game. 

Flamengo nearly extended their lead in the 19th minute. Petterson crossed and João Filipe fired a first-time shot from inside the box. Caio Murilo made a great save. The rout followed. In the 28th minute, Petterson fired a first-time shot past the goalkeeper to score the fourth. The fifth, which sealed another U-15 rout, came from Matheus França in the 31st minute, dribbling past the goalkeeper and tapping it into the back of the net. 

Coach: Leonardo Cherede. 

Knowing about Vasco, Fluminense, and Botafogo's stumbles this round, the U-17 team took the field determined to open up a lead over their main rivals in the second round of the State Championship. And the first goal didn't take long to arrive. In the third minute, Maycon was brought down inside the box. Lázaro converted a well-taken penalty, opening the scoring for the Ninho Boys in the second match of the sweltering morning in Bangu.

 

Flamengo extended their lead in the 14th minute. After a long ball, full-back Marcos Felipe showed his stamina, sprinting at lightning speed and hitting a cross to score the second. Flamengo dominated the game and created numerous scoring chances. The third almost came in the 23rd minute. Maycon passed to Lázaro, who unleashed a bomb. Goalkeeper Lucas Godoy made the save in two attempts. The third came in the final play of the first half, with a beautiful header from Otávio, who rose higher than the entire defense.

The Mais Querido held onto their lead in the second half and secured another rout in the 23rd minute, thanks to a duo that came off the bench. Jean Carlos played in the same line as the defense and reached the bottom with speed. His cross to Pedro Arthur was perfect, as was the striker's finish, which netted the Rubro-Negro's fourth goal of the match. The nation celebrated in the stands, which turned out in great numbers at the Moça Bonita Stadium, and another three points were in the bag.

Coach: Ramon Lima.