In a very solid defensive performance, Flamengo's U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, defeated Botafogo 2-0 (Luiz Henrique and Lucas Freitas) in the single leg of the Guanabara Cup semifinals, played this Saturday morning (25), at CEFAT. With a beautiful collective performance and without any scares, the "Garotos do Ninho" successfully overturned Botafogo's advantage of playing at home and drawing, and with a game completely controlled from the opening whistle, they secured a spot in the final of the first round of the category's State Championship with great morale. The opponent, in two-legged matches, will come out of this afternoon's clash between Vasco and Fluminense.

The derby was decisive, and it started tensely with few scoring chances. In the 13th minute, Flamengo had its first dangerous chance, a shot from outside the box by Vitor Gabriel. Goalkeeper Lucas Silva made the save without rebounding. In the 19th minute, Vitor Gabriel was brought down at the edge of the box. Luiz Henrique took the free kick straight at Lucas Silva, who saved another. In the 38th minute, the Garotos do Ninho opened the scoring, and in style. Luiz Henrique had another opportunity to take a free kick at the edge of the box, and this time he made the most of it. His shot was beautiful, and it went into Lucas Silva's top corner. Even before halftime, Flamengo took the lead.

A victory was necessary, and Flamengo wanted more. A minute later, Vitor Gabriel struck a powerful shot. After a deflection off the defense, the ball went out near the Botafogo goal for a corner. Flamengo had its only chance of the first half in the 42nd minute, when Lucas Barros arrived well to the byline and fired a cross just to the left of Hugo Souza's goal. In the final play before the break, Luis Henrique shot from outside the box, and Hugo Souza, well-positioned, made a confident save. 

The derby became even more tense in the second half. Goal-scoring chances were scarce, and the arguments and more heated exchanges increased with each passing minute. Until midway through the second half, no clear-cut chances were created. In the 33rd minute, Ítalo crossed and Vitor Ricardo fired over the bar. In the 34th minute, Vinicius Souza unleashed a powerful shot. After a deflection off the defense, the ball went out for a corner. Flamengo had grown in the match, and the second goal came at just the right time. After the corner kick, Lucas Freitas appeared well-positioned inside the box and headed the ball into the back of the net, giving Flamengo a boost as they advanced to the Taça Guanabara final.