U-20 beats Fluminense in the final and wins its 10th OPG Tournament in history
In addition to consolidating their position as the biggest winners of the competition, Garotos do Ninho secured their fifth title of the season.
By Ian Sena - inInsatiable for titles. The Flamengo U-20 youth team, who this season alone had already won the São Paulo Cup, the Guanabara Cup, the Carioca Championship, and the Dossena Trophy in Italy, showed once again that there are no limits to Flamengo's youth football. On Friday afternoon, at Gávea, the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) drew 0-0 with Fluminense and, benefiting from a 1-0 victory in the first leg played at Laranjeiras Stadium, won the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (OPG) title for the tenth time in its history, further consolidating its position as the competition's most successful team. As a bonus, Flamengo, which finished the competition with a record of six wins, four draws, and only one loss, had the tournament's top scorer: Vitor Gabriel, with nine goals.

The game
The Flamengo youth team entered the field eager for their fifth title of the season and almost opened the scoring with their first shot on goal in the eighth minute. Pablo went to the byline and crossed into the area. Vitor Gabriel drew the defenders and the ball found Luiz Henrique unmarked at the penalty spot. However, the shot went high and the ball went over Heitor's goal. Fluminense responded with two opportunities in the 14th minute. First, with Zé Ricardo, who shot into the corner, and then with a shot from the edge of the area by Macula. On both occasions, the Brazilian national team goalkeeper Hugo Souza got to the ball and made the saves.
After that, the match became very competitive, but without many clear scoring opportunities for either team, who were playing in the intense heat at the Gávea Stadium. Thus, the score remained 0-0 until both teams went to the locker room.

In the second half, Flamengo almost opened the scoring in the opening seconds with a shot from Bill that went just over the Fluminense crossbar. And just like in the first half, Fluminense responded immediately with a powerful shot from Leandro that went wide to the left of Hugo Souza's goal. In the 24th minute, Michael exchanged passes with Yuri and entered the area. He outpaced his marker and fired a low shot across goal, forcing a good save from Heitor, who parried it for a corner.

Just like in the first stage, the game was very hard-fought, but there weren't many clear scoring chances. Fluminense tried to apply some pressure at the end, but Flamengo showed great security in its defensive system and, without conceding a goal in the two final matches, lifted another OPG Tournament trophy.
Flamengo: Hugo Souza, Klebinho (Aderlan), Nathan, Patrick, Pablo; Henrique (Hugo Moura), Matheus Alves, Luiz Henrique; Bill (Yuri), Lucas Silva (Wendel) and Vitor Gabriel (Michael). Coach: Mauricio Souza.