The debut was in keeping with the team's excellent preparation over the past month. Playing in Volta Redonda under heavy rain, Flamengo's U-20 team easily defeated Ceilândia (DF) 4-0 (Rodrigo Muniz [2], Bill and Yuri) in a single match valid for the first phase of the category's Copa do Brasil, and secured a spot in the second phase of the competition. The Rubro-Negro now awaits the winner of the match between Real Ariquemes (RO) and Horizonte (CE), who face each other only on the 20th, to find out their opponent in the continuation of the quest for the unprecedented title of the national competition. Before that, on Sunday (17), coach Maurício Souza's team debuts in the Campeonato Carioca, hosting Goytacaz, in Gávea, at 16 pm.

The Ninho Boys tried to apply pressure from the start, creating their first significant scoring chance just three minutes in. Following a corner kick in the box, Ramon rose high and headed the ball, which goalkeeper Matheus made a spectacular save. A minute later, Vinícius Souza made a poor pass back, and Ceilândia threatened with a shot wide by Vitor Mariano. In the seventh minute, Rodrigo Muniz was released at the edge of the box, beat his marker, and fired a powerful shot over the Brasília goal. 

Flamengo continued to search for the first goal. In the 18th minute, Yuri was brought down on the edge of the box. Marx Lenin took the shot, Matheus palmed it away, and Rodrigo Muniz, well-positioned inside the box, shot first time. The ball capriciously hit the post and went out for a goal kick. But the next minute, it went in. Matheus França, one of the U-20 signings for the remainder of the season, arrived at lightning speed down the right flank and crossed perfectly for Bill, who slotted home the ball for Flamengo's first goal in the Copa do Brasil and his fourth of the season.

The Mais Querido's superiority in the game was significant. In the 26th minute, Yuri unleashed a powerful shot from midfield and nearly scored the second. Matheus made the save, and the defense cleared the danger. Flamengo created another good chance in the 33rd minute. Henrique delivered a beautiful pass to Yuri. He skillfully broke free from his marker and fired a cross-shot. The ball deflected off the defense and went out for a corner, the Rubro-Negro's last incisive attack of the first half.

The second half saw fewer chances, but the Ninho Boys maintained their dominance and nearly extended their lead in the eighth minute. Ramon passed a perfect pass to Rodrigo Muniz. The forward beat his marker with speed and physical strength, won the one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and only missed the ball because defender Bolt blocked the ball during a crucial tackle for Ceilândia, who narrowly avoided conceding a second goal. 

In the 19th minute, Ramon played a one-two with Yuri and burst into the box at breakneck speed. The left-back passed the ball to Bill, who controlled it and took the corner, but outplayed the goalkeeper and saw the ball fly past Matheus' left post. "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved) was more upright and pushed deeper into the opponent's box. In the 23rd minute, Rodrigo Muniz received the ball in the box and was brought down by the goalkeeper. A well-taken penalty kick by Yuri, who scored the second and celebrated with his family, who cheered wildly in the stands at the Estádio da Cidadania. "Boy from the Nest" was born in Volta Redonda and often leaves his mark on matches in the city. 

The third came shortly after, in the 28th minute. Marx Lenin rolled the ball up the middle, and the ball fell to Rodrigo Muniz, who fired a crisp, first-time shot that Matheus couldn't save. In the 36th minute, the rout turned into a rout. Vitor Ricardo crossed perfectly for Rodrigo Muniz, who headed in his second goal of the rainy Thursday night in Volta Redonda and his fifth of the season, taking his place as the top scorer in the division so far in 2019. Flamengo still missed good chances to score a fifth. The first, when Luiz Henrique crossed, and Vitor Ricardo headed the ball against the post. And the second, shortly after, when Vitor Ricardo's shot from outside the box was saved by Matheus, who palmed it away for a corner. These were the last scoring chances of the Garotos do Ninho's excellent debut in the Copa do Brasil.

Flamengo: Yago Darub, Matheus França, Nathan, Natan, Ramon (Pablo); Henrique (Luiz Henrique), Vinicius Souza (Gomes), Marx Lenin (Lucas Gabriel), Bill (Vitor Ricardo), Yuri (Wendel) and Rodrigo Muniz. Coach: Mauricio Souza.