After losing the first leg 4-3, which ended an unbeaten streak of more than two years in the category, Flamengo's U-17 team took to the field this Sunday afternoon (09) to face Botafogo again, in the final of the Guanabara Cup. Knowing the need for victory, the team bet on technical superiority to win the title. The strategy worked. With the support of the fans, who attended the Gávea Stadium in great numbers, the Mais Querido won the classic 2-1 (Vitor Gabriel [2]) in normal time, a result that led to the decision for penalties. 

The red-and-black athletes tested the hearts of their fans and had to overcome ten thrilling series to win 9-8. The first-round title confirmed their best performance in the competition and secured a spot in the state championship final. If they also win the Taça Rio, the Garotos do Ninho will once again be Rio champions without having to play in the final, as was the case last year.

Flamengo, managed by Marcio Torres, played with Victor Hugo, Vitor Ricardo, Natan, Patrick (Teo), Pablo, Henrique (Lucas Gabriel), Marx (Rhyan), Matheus Alves, Wendel, Yuri and Vitor Gabriel (Luan). 

In the 8th minute, Flamengo threatened for the first time with a good shot from outside the box by midfielder Yuri. In the 11th minute, the referee awarded a controversial penalty in Botafogo's favor. Elivelton's shot went wide. In the 14th minute, Patrick took a free kick, which André made a good save. In the 20th minute, Flamengo created their best chance of the match so far. Vitor Gabriel passed to Marx, who attempted a volley, but the ball sailed over Botafogo's goal. In the 25th minute, Yuri shot from the edge of the box, but André made another good save.

The Rubro-Negro were much better in the game and pressed forward in search of the first goal. In the final play of the first half, the team's superiority finally resulted in a goal. Yuri took a corner kick that was headed by Vitor Gabriel, who swept it in to open the scoring.

In the first minute of the second half, the Garotos do Ninho extended their lead. Vitor Ricardo crossed, and Vitor Gabriel headed the ball into the back of the net again. The Rubro-Negro continued to play better, and in the 30th minute, Yuri beat the defense with speed and tried to chip the ball, but André came out in the nick of time and blocked the midfielder's shot. In the 40th minute, the referee awarded another penalty in favor of Botafogo. This time, Glauber converted the ball well and reduced the deficit. 

"The whole group deserves congratulations and deserves this achievement. We trained very hard every day. We recently came close to finishing second in some championships, but today was a no-go. It was very difficult, but thank God, everything worked out," said top scorer Vitor Gabriel. 

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The combined scores of both games led to a penalty shootout. After much suffering and excitement, with ten penalties each, Flamengo relied on star goalkeeper Victor Hugo, who saved two penalties. The team won 9-8 and once again lifted the Taça Guanabara title.

"Our job this week was to show these players that they are very capable. Unfortunately, we had a very poor first half in the Engenhão match, which doesn't reflect the quality of this group. We made the players aware that today, despite being a final, was just another game, at home, where we continue with a 100% record in this championship. And with a calm mind, we could have built up the necessary score. I want to congratulate the entire Botafogo coaching staff, who have been studying us for a long time and have a very organized team. This is a special generation, with above-average quality for the category, and we deserve this title," said coach Márcio Torres.

With little time to celebrate, the team is already heading off to the Taça BH, the top national competition in the category, this Monday afternoon. In the first phase, Flamengo will play in the cities of Ponte Nova and Rio Doce, and will face Ponte Nova (July 12.07, at 20 p.m.), Paraná (July 14.07, at 20 p.m.), and Grêmio (July 16.07, at 13 p.m.).

"Winning this Guanabara Cup further increases our confidence. We're going to the BH Cup in search of the title. We know all the difficulties and the quality of the opponents we'll face, but we also know our quality, and we're going to pursue our goal," Torres concluded.