Looking to continue the excellent season they've had so far in 2018, Flamengo's U-20 team traveled to Salvador to face Vitória at Barradão on Wednesday afternoon (11), in the first leg of the round of 15 of the Copa do Brasil. In a very difficult and balanced duel, which saw one team dominate in each half, the Garotos do Ninho managed to withstand the initial pressure from the home team, imposed themselves from the 1th minute of the second half, when they began to create numerous scoring chances, and left the capital of Bahia with a good score of 1-19 (Wendel), a result that gives the Mais Querido the chance to decide the classification for the quarterfinals of the important national competition in Gávea next Thursday (15) at XNUMX pm. With the end of the away goals rule, any draw will take the decision of the spot to penalties. Whoever wins will be qualified to face the winner of Corinthians x Sport.

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Knowing the importance of a good result in the first leg, Flamengo started the game focused. In the third minute, Vitor Gabriel pressured goalkeeper Lucas on a back pass and narrowly missed winning the challenge and scoring. The game was very tight and evenly matched. The Garotos do Ninho's first shot came in the 16th minute. Lucas Silva faced his marker and shot wide, threatening Lucas. In the 19th minute, after a misplaced ball from the Flamengo defense, Flavio received the ball unmarked at the penalty spot and struck hard. The ball hit Gabriel Batista's post, who could only hope. Vitor Gabriel then waited for Pepê to overtake him and fired a dangerous shot to the left of the Bahian team's goal. 

In the 29th minute, Lucas Silva was brought down just outside the box. Pepê took a quality free kick, and Lucas made a great save, palming the ball out for a corner and saving the Bahia team from conceding their first goal. In the 39th minute, Vitória opened the scoring. Flavio delivered a perfect cross to Eronildo, who headed the ball from the edge of the six-yard box, leaving Gabriel Batista with no chance. 

The second half started evenly, but in the 12th minute, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Vitória. Gabriel Batista didn't stop the ball, waited for the right moment, headed the corner, and saw Flavio shoot wide. In the 14th minute, Padilha unleashed a powerful shot, and Gabriel Batista flew to make a great save. The Red-and-Blacks were looking to build on the game. In the 22nd minute, Vitor Gabriel hit a cross, and the ball grazed Lucas's right post. In the 25th minute, Michael struck a powerful shot, the ball deflected off the defense and went out for a corner. 

Flamengo pressed for an equalizer, but risked a counterattack. In the 32nd minute, Flavio received the ball in the box and missed a great chance to extend the home team's lead. The Mais Querido's superiority throughout the second half finally translated into a goal in the 40th minute. Wendel, who had replaced Vitor Gabriel, stole the ball in midfield, beat two defenders, and fired a cross into the corner, leveling the score and making the score more even.

Flamengo: Gabriel Batista, Aderlan (Wesley), Dantas (Bernardo), Patrick Souza, Michael, Hugo Moura (Gabriel Kazu), Theo, Lucas Silva, Pepê (Yuri), Luiz Henrique (Bill) and Vitor Gabriel (Wendel). Coach: Marcio Torres.