In a very difficult and balanced match played under heavy rain on Friday morning (5), in Gávea, the multiple champion Flamengo U-16 team, led by coach Ramon Lima, beat the good Nova Iguaçu team 2-1 (Will and Quintino), in the ninth round of the Guilherme Embry Tournament, the State Championship of the category. With the victory, fundamental for the red-black in the competition against a direct opponent, makes Mais Querido surpass Nova Iguaçu itself in the classification table, assuming the second position of the round with 22 points won, and mathematically guaranteeing the place in the semifinals. Now, the championship stops for a month for the school holidays, and the Garotos do Ninho return to the field only on August 3, when they face the leader Fluminense, in Xerém.

Flamengo first threatened in the ninth minute, with a fine low shot from João Pedro. The ball went wide to the left of goalkeeper Kayky's goal. In the 16th minute, after a powerful attacking triangle involving Jean Sales, Will, and João Pedro, the goalkeeper made a great save. On the rebound, Jean Sales was brought down inside the box. Will converted the penalty perfectly, opening the scoring for the Ninho Boys. The game was evenly matched, and Nova Iguaçu equalized in the 34th minute with a powerful shot from Luiz. 

In the 39th minute, the Mais Querido had a great opportunity to regain the lead when João Pedro delivered a beautiful pass to Pedro Henrique. He was blocked by the defense, but Richard picked up the rebound and fired a cross-shot. The ball hit the post. It was the last dangerous play before halftime.

Rubro-Negro returned for the second half with two changes: Werton in place of Will, and Quintino in place of Pedro Henrique. They went on the attack in search of a crucial victory. In the first minute, João Pedro took a corner kick, and the ball crossed the entire goal line and found Leonardo on the right wing. The full-back crossed, Kaiky headed it, and the defense cleared it on the line. The pressure continued, and in the next play, Quintinho received the ball inside the box and tapped it into the back of the net, his first touch of the match. 

Nova Iguaçu threatened and nearly equalized in the eighth minute, thanks to a dangerous header from Matheus Trigo. In the 14th minute, Allan received a free kick inside the box, but Flamengo's goalkeeper Igor Jectan closed the corner and made a great save, maintaining the lead for the Garotos do Ninho. In the 30th minute, Igor Jectan appeared again. After a low cross into the box, Allan fired a cross, and Flamengo's defensive wall performed a miracle, preventing a goal for the Baixada Fluminense team and securing three crucial points for Flamengo in the competition.

Flamengo: Igor Jectan, Leonardo (Nicollas), Kayque, Kaiky, Richard; Arthur Lessa, Pedro Henrique (Quintino), Daniel Campos; Will (Werton), João Pedro and Jean Sales (Pablo Ruan). Coach: Ramon Lima.