Flamengo's U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, had another strong performance in the current edition of the Copa do Brasil. Despite playing away from home and facing pressure from the opposing fans and the very uneven pitch at Arena dos Calçados, in Nova Serrana, Minas Gerais, the "Garotos do Ninho" dominated Cruzeiro for much of the 90 minutes, drawing 1-1 (Reinier) and even missing a penalty. The good result takes the decision of a spot in the grand final to Rio de Janeiro next week, with the date and location yet to be announced by the CBF. Before that, on Saturday (27), "Mais Querido" visits Resende, for the sixth round of the Taça Guanabara.

The game started very evenly, and Cruzeiro had the first significant scoring chance. In the 11th minute, Vinicius Popó received the ball unmarked inside the box and fired a poor shot over Hugo Souza's goal. In the 14th minute, Rodrigo Muniz was brought down inside the box. This was a great opportunity for Flamengo to open the scoring, but Bill sent the shot wide. Cruzeiro came close again in the 19th minute, with Vinicius Popó shooting wide. 

Even playing away from home, the Ninho Boys had complete control of the game and possession, but the home team was defensively defensive and gave Mais Querido few scoring chances, only attempting counterattacks. Mais Querido threatened again on two occasions. In the 30th minute, Bill provided a beautiful pass to Pablo, who crossed to Reinier. The midfielder laid the ball off for Bill, whose shot was blocked by the defense. In the 33rd minute, Vitor Ricardo crossed, Rodrigo Muniz challenged for the ball, and Bill, who caught it first time, but Marlon made a good save.

The game was evenly matched. In the 35th minute, Éderson shot, but Hugo Souza made a good save, palming it out for a corner. In the 41st minute, Vitor Ricardo took on his defender and fired a dangerous shot over Cruzeiro's goal. In the final goal of the first half, Vinicius Souza received the ball in the crescent and fired a shot to the right of Marlon's goal.

The second half remained evenly balanced, seemingly a repeat of the first. Flamengo dominated possession and controlled the game, while Cruzeiro closed in on the back and tried to counterattack. The first shot fell to Cruzeiro. In the 18th minute, Rodrigo Muniz noticed the goalkeeper was out of position and tried to chip him from midfield, but the ball came out too hard and sailed over the goal.  

The star player made the difference, and Reinier appeared at the right time to open the scoring. In the 33rd minute, Pablo crossed into the box and the ball fell to Natan. The defender cleared the marker and fired a cross. The ball fell to the number ten, who slotted it left-footed into the right corner, past Marlon, who just watched. Flamengo opened the scoring away from home. And the second almost came soon after, when Marx Lenin took a chance from outside the box, the goalkeeper rebounded, and Reinier shot off target. Flamengo was the better team, but Cruzeiro equalized in the 40th minute, through Adriano, after a corner kick and a rebound in the Flamengo box. Game over, and Cruzeiro will take a good result to the final in Rio next week.

Flamengo: Hugo Souza, Matheus França, Nathan, Natan, Pablo; Christopher (Marx Lenin), Vinicius Souza (Luiz Henrique), Reinier; Bill, Vitor Ricardo (Wendel) and Rodrigo Muniz (Rhyan). Coach: Mauricio Souza.