For the third time in the last four years (2015, 2017 and 2018), Flamengo's U-15 team will play in the final of the Brazilian Children's Football Cup (also known as the Votorantim Cup), the most important competition in the category in the country. With an undefeated campaign in the current edition, the Garotos do Ninho defeated Figueirense 1-0 (Daniel) in the semifinal, on Friday night (19), at the Votorantim Municipal Stadium. The grand final will be a repeat of last year's decisive match, when Flamengo defeated Palmeiras 1-0 with a goal from Lázaro, securing their second title in the history of the important national competition. The duel is scheduled for this Sunday (21), at 9:30 am, at the Municipal Stadium of Votorantim.

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The Mais Querido took the field determined to play another Votorantim Cup final. And with that mindset, they went all out against their opponents from the very first minute. Less than a minute into the match, João Pedro received the ball in the box and hit a beautiful shot into the top corner, but the referee had already signaled offside. In the sixth minute, Ryan passed the ball to João Vitor, who hit a powerful cross, posing a serious threat to Theo's goal. In the ninth minute, Daniel led a counterattack and took a shot from outside the box, over the Santa Catarina team's goal. 

Flamengo was all for it. In the 12th minute, Daniel again fired a shot from outside the box, and Theo's rebound was met by João Vitor, who tapped it into the back of the net, but the ball had already been flagged for offside. In the 16th minute, Piaí saw Samuel's speedy pass perfectly and rolled the ball over. The full-back delivered a good cross to Leonardo, who headed the ball to the left of the goal. In the 20th minute, Jorge intercepted the ball and passed it to Daniel. He dribbled past two defenders and fired a well-placed shot over Theo's goal. 

The second half was also largely dominated by the red-and-blacks. Just four minutes in, Piauí took a corner kick, and the ball fell to João Pedro, who fired a beautiful shot that Theo saved brilliantly. In the 16th minute, Ryan dribbled past his opponent in the box, but the ball was cleared by the goalkeeper. In the 22nd minute, the ball finally went in. After a ball was lofted into the box, Felippe backheeled it, and the ball found Victor Hugo at the far post. He crossed first time, and Daniel headed in, quelling the goal cry that was already stuck in his throat.

"I'm very happy to have the opportunity to score while wearing a Flamengo jersey, especially in the semifinals of such an important competition as Votorantim. Without a doubt, the goal is the result of the entire team's hard work. Without them, we would never have achieved it. It was a very difficult match. We dominated the entire match, but missed a lot of goals. Thank God the ball went in at the end. Now, we'll rest and focus hard for a very difficult final against Palmeiras, a team we know well. We're going strong towards our goal, which is the third championship," said Daniel. 

Flamengo: Christian, Samuel, Diego, Kaiky, Leonardo, Jorge, Daniel, Piauí (Felippe), Ryan, João Vitor (Victor Hugo) and João Pedro. Coach: Mario Jorge