The journey through the 19 rounds of the Brazilian Championship qualifying phase was not easy for Flamengo's U-20 team, which had to deal with many absences in practically every match, difficulties in daily training regarding the continuity of the team as a whole and three simultaneous competitions, which caused the Mais Querido to play up to five times in a single week. Despite everything, the Garotos do Ninho, led by coach Mauricio Souza, overcame the adversities, easily beating Corinthians 3-0 (Lázaro [3]) on Sunday afternoon (20), in Gávea, and guaranteed qualification for the quarterfinals of the competition in sixth place. 

With the goal of winning the Brazilian championship for the second time more alive than ever, Mengão will face Fluminense in the next phase of the Brasileirão Sub-20. The first leg takes place next Sunday (27), in Gávea.

Flamengo entered the field knowing only victory was important, and went all out from the opening whistle. Just four minutes in, Lázaro burst into the box at speed and was brought down as he was about to take the shot. He took the shot himself, into goalkeeper Alan's corner. Superior on the field, Flamengo controlled the match without any scares. They scored the second goal in the 28th minute, again through Lázaro, who struck hard and crisply into Alan's left corner. In the final play before halftime, Thiaguinho made a great individual play, burst into the box, and rolled the ball perfectly for Lázaro to tap into the back of the net, securing his hat trick.

Just three minutes into the second half, in a beautiful attacking triangle, Max found Ramon unmarked in the box. However, the shot was blocked by goalkeeper Alan, preventing the red-and-black's fourth goal in the national derby. In the 18th minute, Max shot from outside the box, and Alan parried. The rebound, Lázaro, found the net, but this time wide. In the 24th minute, Thiaguinho dribbled past three defenders, burst into the box, and fired a shot. The ball sailed past the black-and-white crossbar.

Mengão was a much better team and wanted a fourth. In the 37th minute, Lázaro received the ball in the box, shook off his marker, and knowingly chipped the ball beyond Alan's reach. The ball sailed just wide of the post and went out for a goal kick. Ranked sixth, Flamengo will face Fluminense in the fight for a spot in the semifinals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.

Flamengo: João Fernando, Luan, Gabriel Noga (Cleiton), Milani, Ramon; Daniel Cabral (Lucas André), Richard Rios, Max (Lucas Bauru); Lazaro, Thiaguinho (Gabriel Barros) and Gabriel Aires (Mateus Dias). Coach: Mauricio Souza.