In a match played at Gávea Stadium on Sunday morning (May 28.05) and valid for the fourth round of the Rio Cup, Flamengo's U-20 team confirmed its excellent form and, after securing an unprecedented qualification for the Copa do Brasil final last Thursday against Avaí, in Florianópolis, won again. The 3-1 score (Bernardo, Lincoln and Luiz Henrique) against the second-best of the "small" teams further extends Flamengo's lead in the overall standings of the State Championship, now with 42 points earned (four more than Botafogo) and leaves the Garotos do Ninho just a draw away from mathematically guaranteeing qualification for both the semifinal of the first round and the overall semifinal of the State Championship. Finally with a whole week free ahead, the Rubro-Negro returns to the field only next Saturday, June 03.06, when they host Volta Redonda, in Gávea, at 15 pm.

Trusting once again in the strength of his squad, coach Gilmar Popoca made several changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Avaí at Ressacada last Thursday, securing a spot in the Copa do Brasil final. Even so, the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) dominated from the first minute against the strong Madureira team. Just eight minutes in, Patrick curled a perfect free kick into Bernardo's head, opening the scoring. 

In the 14th minute, Patrick again delivered a beautiful pass to Wesley, who fired a beautiful shot with his outside of the foot, drawing a brilliant save from Lucão. Then, in the 16th minute, the defense sloppily slid, and Gabriel rose unmarked to equalize with a header. The match remained evenly matched, but Flamengo had a great chance to head into halftime. In the 46th minute, Wesley's cross-shot went past Loran and bounced off Lucão's left post. 

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In the second half, just two minutes in, Fabricio nearly put the Mais Querido back in front with a dangerous cross-shot. In the 2th minute, Patrick took a free kick that the goalkeeper made a good save. In the 12st minute, Wesley took a corner kick and nearly scored. Lucão deflected it just in time, and the ball hit the crossbar. In the 21th minute, the red-and-black pressure, which had been unbearable, resulted in a goal. Jean Lucas made a beautiful play near the left wing and crossed to Lincoln, who got ahead of the defender and tapped in with great skill to score the second. There was still time for Luiz Henrique, who, like Lincoln, had come off the bench, to create the most beautiful play of the entire match. From outside the box, he finished perfectly, knowingly, into the top corner, past Lucão, who could do nothing but lament. A stunning goal, to cap off another magnificent performance by the Garotos do Ninho this season.

"I want to thank coach Gilmar, who has always supported me and given me a lot of confidence, even though this is my first year in the U-20 category. Thank God I've been doing well and been able to help the group. Today I was fortunate enough to score this amazing goal, and it will further increase my confidence and make me feel at ease with the group. We continue strong in pursuit of our two objectives in this first half of the year, which are winning the State Championship and the Copa do Brasil," said midfielder Luiz Henrique. 

The Boys of the Nest entered the field with Gabriel Batista, Wesley, Bernardo, Thuler, Moraes, Gabriel Magalhães, Jean Lucas, Fabricio (Luiz Henrique), Gabriel Silva (Lucas Silva), Patrick and Loran (Lincoln). Coach: Gilmar Popoca.