The current U-17 Copa do Brasil champions debuted in the 2019 season with a 2-1 defeat (João Gabriel) to Cruzeiro de Santiago (RS), in a difficult duel played on Sunday night (13), valid for the first round of the group stage of the Copa Santiago. Next Tuesday (15), the Garotos do Ninho return to the field to face Juventude, at 19:30 pm, again at the Alceu Carvalho Stadium. The 2019 Copa Santiago is played in two groups of six teams each, in a round-robin system. After the five rounds, the top four teams in each group will qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition, which from then on goes through its knockout phase, until the final. 

The first chance for Flamengo to score came just three minutes in. Luis Gustavo reached the byline and crossed for Yuri de Oliveira. Well-positioned inside the box, the midfielder struck first-time, and the ball grazed the home team's crossbar. Spurred on by the home crowd, Cruzeiro made things difficult for Flamengo early in the match. Flamengo came close again in the 13th minute, with a shot from outside the box by Daniel Cabral that was held by goalkeeper Carlos.

The Boys from the Nest tried to apply pressure in search of the first goal. In the 18th minute, Yuri de Oliveira received the ball at the edge of the box and fired a cross to the right of Cruzeiro's goal. In the 36th minute, João Gabriel crossed and Lázaro headed wide. In the final play of the first half, Flamengo opened the scoring. Yuri de Oliveira took the corner kick, Sidney battled with the opposing defense, and the ball fell to João Gabriel's head, who made no mistake and tapped it into the back of the net, scoring the first goal for the reigning U-17 Brazil Cup champions in the 2019 season.

The second half began much as the first had ended: with the red-and-blacks pressing forward. Just four minutes in, Lázaro received the ball at the edge of the box, shook off his marker, and fired over the bar. The Boys from the Nest didn't give up and continued to push for a second goal. In the 13th minute, Sidney delivered a beautiful pass to Lázaro, but the striker couldn't control the ball inside the opponent's box. 

Flamengo was vastly superior on the field, but football doesn't forgive a moment of inattention. The home team equalized in the 31st minute, when Luis Gustavo attempted to pass the ball back to Bruno, surprising the Flamengo goalkeeper, and leaving the goal open for Pedrinho to equalize. In stoppage time, Cruzeiro turned the game around with Zé, giving the final score.

Coach: Phelipe Leal.