Flamengo's U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, had another solid and dominant performance and, once again with great authority, beat Internacional 2-0 (Vitor Gabriel [2]), in a duel played at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, in Volta Redonda, on the afternoon of this Thursday (18), valid for the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship. The fourth victory in five games in the competition gives Rubro-Negro the lead in the championship, ahead of Vasco and América MG in goals scored and goal difference. In addition, Mais Querido has Vitor Gabriel as the isolated top scorer in the Brasileirão, with five goals. In the next round, Flamengo travels to face Corinthians, on Sunday (21) at 11 am, at Parque São Jorge.

The game started with a lively pace, and within the first ten minutes, both teams had already created good chances to open the scoring. Just two minutes in, Vitor Gabriel received the ball inside the box and shot, but Diogenes made a solid save. Internacional responded in the sixth minute. Nicolas fired a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball hit the post. João Victor's rebound was well saved by Hugo Souza. In the 13th minute, Luiz Henrique crossed, and Vitor Gabriel headed a powerful shot, but Diogenes made another save.

The Mais Querido (Flamengo's Favorite) began to dominate the game and opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Matheus França played a great one-two with Matheus Alves and passed the ball into the box to Gomes, who hit the post with his first touch. On the rebound, Vitor Gabriel appeared well-positioned to opportunistically tap it into the back of the net, scoring the first goal for the Garotos do Ninho (Nest's Boys). Flamengo went into the locker room with the advantage.

The second half began with Internacional causing a scare in the opening seconds. But Hugo Souza was alert and made a great save, keeping the red-and-black team ahead. Flamengo scored. After a beautiful cross from Ramon, Vitor Gabriel rose with style and headed the ball past Diogenes, scoring his fifth goal of the Brasileirão and taking over the competition's top scorer spot. In the 19th minute, Cesinha struck a powerful shot, but Hugo Souza made the save without rebounding.

The Boys from the Nest nearly made it three in the 28th minute, when, under pressure from the red-and-black attack, the Rio Grande do Sul defense misplayed the ball, and Rodrigo Muniz, who had just come on, unleashed a rocket from outside the box. The ball skimmed the Colorado's left post. After that, the Mais Querido simply had to manage their advantage and leave the field with another important victory in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.

Coach: Mauricio Souza.