Flamengo debuted in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship this Thursday afternoon (24) with a victory. In a difficult match, the Garotos do Ninho, led by coach Mauricio Souza, beat América MG 1-0, with a great goal from Ryan Luka in the first half, and secured their first three points in the competition. It was the team's sixth victory in seven games this season. Rubro-Negro returns to the field for the Brasileirão next Thursday (01.07), when they visit Atlético MG, in Sete Lagoas. Before that, on Saturday (26), the Garotos do Ninho visit Portuguesa, at Luso-Brasileiro, in a match valid for the seventh round of the Taça Guanabara Under-20.

Flamengo created their first dangerous chance after five minutes, and almost opened the scoring. Ramon crossed and Lázaro volleyed the ball first time. It grazed the left corner of goalkeeper Pedro Nesi's net. At 21 minutes, Daniel Cabral took a powerful shot from outside the area, creating a dangerous situation for the American goal. At 25 minutes, Flamengo's pressure paid off with a goal. And what a goal! Ryan Luka received the ball at the edge of the area, twisted past the defender and calmly placed the ball into the right corner of Pedro Nesi's goal, scoring the first goal for the Flamengo youth team in the Brazilian Championship.

Flamengo continued their offensive play at the start of the second half. Seven minutes in, Thiaguinho unleashed a powerful shot; the Minas Gerais goalkeeper parried the shot, but the defense cleared the danger. América threatened in the 15th minute with a header from Carlos Alberto that hit the crossbar. After that, the game became a bit more balanced, with few scoring opportunities for either side until the final whistle, which secured Flamengo's first three points in the Brazilian Championship.

Flamengo: Matheus Cunha, Wesley, Noga, Otavio, Ramon; Daniel Cabral (Igor Jesus), Max, Yuri (Pedrinho); Lázaro (Cleiton), Thiaguinho (Gabriel Barros) and Ryan Luka (Weverton). Coach: Mauricio Souza.