In a difficult match played on Saturday night (15) at the Adrian Jara Stadium in Luque, Paraguay, Flamengo's U-20 team, which in this competition is being led by coach Phelipe Leal, debuted with a great 3-1 victory (Rodrigo Muniz [2] and Yuri Cesar) over Nacional (URU), the current champion of the tournament. Achieved with a great collective performance and many goal chances created, the important victory puts the Garotos do Ninho in the lead of Group A and depending only on themselves to reach the semifinal, where only the winners of each group and the best second-placed team will be. In the next round, Mais Querido faces Sporting Cristal (PER). The match will take place on Tuesday (18) at 20:15 pm (Brasília time), and will be broadcast live on Flamengo's official Facebook page.

As expected, the game started out tight, with few chances and a fierce battle for possession and control. In the seventh minute, Yuri César tested Uruguayan goalkeeper Guilhermo Elizalde, who made a save in two attempts. In the 13th minute, Rodrigo Muniz tested Guilhermo again. In the 17th minute, Richard Rios took a chance from the edge of the box. Guilhermo was safe this time. Little by little, the Boys from the Nest began to dominate the match. In the next play, however, the Uruguayan team hit Victor Hugo's crossbar after a shot from Andres Mosquera.

Flamengo was the better side, creating their best opportunity so far in the 20th minute, with a superb first-time shot from top scorer Rodrigo Muniz. Guilhermo made a great save, once again saving Nacional from conceding the first goal. A mere spectator throughout the first half, Victor Hugo only made his first appearance in the 44th minute, palming away a header from striker Juan Andres for a corner. Before halftime, Gomes unleashed a fine shot from mid-range, which the Uruguayan goalkeeper made another save.

In the second half, the red-and-black dominance was more evident, starting in the first minute of play, when Yuri Cesar unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box that would have gone into the top corner. Once again, goalkeeper Guilhermo saved the Uruguayans with a great save. Five minutes in, justice finally arrived. The division's top scorer in 2019, with 28 goals, Rodrigo Muniz received the ball in the box and shot into the corner, but Guilhermo was unable to stop it this time. It was the first for the Garotos do Ninho in the Libertadores, and Rodrigo Muniz's second of the 2020 season, having also scored in the match against Volta Redonda at Maracanã, a Guanabara Cup match.

In the Mais Querido's best moment of the game, Nacional equalized in the 12th minute on an isolated play and a set piece, scored by Enzo Sosa. Flamengo fought back and nearly scored a second with a great play. In the 30th minute, Yuri de Oliveira played a quick one-two from the defensive half with Matheus França and passed to Guilherme Bala, who unleashed a powerful cross. The ball grazed Guilherme's right post. 

The "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) pressed for victory. In the 32nd minute, Wendel struck a powerful shot, and Guilhermo palmed it out for a corner. In the 34th minute, it was Rodrigo Muniz who took a shot, but Guilhermo, by far the best player on the field for Uruguay, was directly responsible for the equalizer. The pressure was unbearable, and in the 43rd minute, there was no escape. Rodrigo Muniz beat the defense and headed the ball to Yuri Cesar. With skill, he shook off his marker and beat the goalkeeper to score the second. 

In stoppage time, Rodrigo Muniz unleashed a bomb, found the corner and scored a stunning goal, securing the red-and-blacks' first victory in the 20 U-2020 Libertadores. The Garotos do Ninho's journey towards winning the Americas started off on the right foot!

Flamengo: Victor Hugo, Matheus França, Gabriel Noga, Natan, Pablo; Gomes (Wendel), Richard Rios, Yuri de Oliveira; Guilherme Bala, Yuri César (Lucas Gabriel) and Rodrigo Muniz. Coach: Phelipe Leal