In a match played on Wednesday afternoon (28) at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, in Volta Redonda, Flamengo's U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, was superior on the field and put a lot of pressure on Cruzeiro from the first minute, but was defeated 1-0 and lost its unbeaten run in the Brazilian Championship. The Boys of the Nest are now preparing for the single match of the quarterfinals of the Rio Cup, and will host Nova Iguaçu, Saturday at 10 am, in Gávea. For the Brasileirão, the Mais Querido returns to the field next Wednesday (09/04), when it travels to face Chapecoense at Arena Condá, at 15 pm.

The opening minutes of the game were measured, with plenty of study and few scoring chances. The Rubro-Negro's first chance came in the 20th minute, with a good shot from the edge of the box by Wendel. The ball sailed close to the left corner of Minas Gerais goalkeeper Vinícius's goal. Cruzeiro played defensively, and it was difficult to break down with the ball under control. Therefore, mid-range shots were a good option for the "Garotos do Ninho" (The Boys from the Nest). In the 22nd minute, Yuri took a chance from outside the box, this time to the right of the Cruzeiro goal.

Flamengo controlled possession, but in an isolated move in the 24th minute, Cruzeiro opened the scoring with a header from Guilherme Liberato. It was the Minas Gerais team's first attack of the match. Cruzeiro began to press in search of an equalizer, which nearly came in the 32nd minute, with a cross from Wendel that hit the paint off Vinícius's right post, who just watched. The tie was ripe. In the 36th minute, after a scramble in the box, Natan's shot hit the post. The defense cleared it for a corner. From the free kick, Natan tried again with a header, but the ball went just wide of Cruzeiro's right post. 

The Ninho Boys continued to press for an equalizer from the start of the second half. Just two minutes in, Rodrigo Muniz took his first shot of the match, threatening Vinícius's goal. In the ninth minute, Luis Gustavo crossed into the box, and the defense cleared the ball from Rodrigo Muniz's head, who was poised to equalize. Following a corner kick, Matheus França fired over the bar. 

With Luis Gustavo replacing Matheus Alves and Denilson replacing Gomes, Flamengo was all attack against a Cruzeiro side that was largely defensive and playing from a corner. In the 25th minute, Wendel struck from the edge of the box, and the ball gracefully skimmed the crossbar. In the 33rd minute, Denilson played a pass behind his defender, allowing Matheus França to speed past. The low cross would have found Rodrigo Muniz, well-positioned in the box, but Vinícius was alert and came out in the nick of time to make the save. 

Flamengo wouldn't give up. In the 41st minute, Rodrigo Muniz headed the ball from the penalty spot, but it went wide left of the goal. In the 44th minute, Luiz Henrique passed to Rodrigo Muniz, who controlled the ball and fired a quick shot, surprising his defenders, but over Vinícius's goal. In the 47th minute, Rodrigo Muniz headed the ball past the goalkeeper, but Yuri challenged the goalkeeper and tried to chip it over the bar, but the ball went too high. The next minute, Lázaro tried to put it in the corner, but the ball went over again, giving Flamengo the last chance of the match.

Flamengo: Hugo Souza, Matheus França, Natan, Lucas Freitas, Ramon (Lazaro); Matheus Alves (Luis Gustavo), Luiz Henrique, Gomes (Denilson); Wendel, Yuri and Rodrigo Muniz. Coach: Mauricio Souza.