Three games, two wins, one draw, no goals conceded, and top of the group. This is the result of Flamengo's U-15 team, led by coach Mario Jorge, after the end of the first stage of the Friendship Cup. On the hot afternoon of this Friday (30), the Garotos do Ninho were superior in the second stage and beat Atlético MG 1-0 (João Marcelo), overtaking their opponent and guaranteeing qualification for the quarterfinals of the competition in first place in the group with seven points won, one ahead of Atlético itself, which went through in second place. The Mais Querido's opponent in the next stage will be the Japanese National Team.

The first half was very even, with few scoring chances. The two best ones fell to Atlético. In the 20th minute, Caíque hit the crossbar with a powerful cross from the edge of the box. In the 25th minute, Caíque again took a chance from outside the box. The ball went to the left of Flamengo goalkeeper Francisco Dyogo. And that was the best thing that happened before halftime.

Knowing that a simple victory would secure first place in the group, Flamengo went on the attack in the second half. They opened the scoring with their first significant opportunity of the match in the 12th minute. João Marcelo received the ball at the edge of the box and fired a shot wide. Goalkeeper Wisllan rebounded, and João Marcelo himself, with opportunism, bulged the net to put the Garotos do Ninho ahead. 

Flamengo didn't back down. In the 29th minute, Petterson hit a cross-shot, and Cauã narrowly missed reaching the ball to score the second and kill the game. In the 33rd minute, Cauã was released, beat the defense with speed, and tried to chip the ball over the goalkeeper, who deflected the ball for a corner. In the 35th minute, João Marcelo hit a cross-shot, and the defense cleared it off the line, which would have been Flamengo's second goal. 

Coach: Mario Jorge.