Competing with an alternative team since the first phase, as the main team is focused on the Brazilian Championship in the category (competition led by Rubro-Negro since the first round), Flamengo's U-20 showed the strength, quality and competence of its squad and, under the command of coach Marcio Torres, secured a place in another final of the Otavio Pinto Guimarães Tournament. In a game with rough plays and hampered by heavy rain played on the cold afternoon of this Thursday (22) at Lourival Gomes Stadium, in Saquarema, the Garotos do Ninho lost 1-0 to Sampaio Corrêa in regular time, a result that took the dispute to penalties.

And then Victor Hugo shone once again. Accustomed to saving penalties, the Flamengo team saved another, taken by Wendson, at a crucial moment—Sampaio Corrêa's sixth penalty. Next, Pedro Arthur, the Brazilian U-17 champion making his U-20 debut, displayed composure and skill to displace the goalkeeper and send Flamengo into another final. The opponent will be the winner of the match between Vasco and Fluminense, who play their first match this Friday. 

Even with the small advantage gained in the first leg, Flamengo showed their opponents from the start that their goal was to secure a spot in the final with another victory. Just four minutes in, Luis Gustavo sped the ball and passed it to Rodrigo Muniz. The low shot flew past goalkeeper Guilherme's right post. Afterward, largely due to the heavy rain and the heavy pitch, the game became very close, including some tougher plays. With no further scoring chances, the teams went into the locker room with the score at 0-0.

The second half played out much like the first, and was fiercely contested. The Mais Querido (Most Beloved) created a threat in the tenth minute, when Ítalo made a beautiful individual play and crossed for Luis Gustavo, who headed over Guilherme's goal. In the 19th minute, Dudu hit a cross, and Rubro-Negro goalkeeper Victor Hugo parried the danger away. The Garotos do Ninho (The Boys of the Nest) came close to opening the scoring again in the 31st minute, when, after a pass from Gabriel Noga, Rodrigo Muniz controlled with skill and shot quickly with his left foot. The goalkeeper made another save. In stoppage time, in the 46th minute, Wendson scored for the home team, taking the match for a spot in the final to a penalty shootout. 

The Most Beloved had more calm and competence, and with perfect shots from João Gabriel, Lázaro, Gomes, Natan and Pedro Arthur, in addition to the crucial defense from Victor Hugo, won 5x4 and guaranteed a place in another OPG Tournament final, where it will fight for the 11th title in its rich and glorious history in the traditional state competition.

Flamengo: Victor Hugo, Braian, Gabriel Noga, Natan, Italo; Lucas Gabriel (Daniel Cabral), Gomes, Denilson (Lazaro); Jefferson (Pedro Arthur), Luis Gustavo (João Gabriel) and Rodrigo Muniz. Coach: Marcio Torres.