Aware of the importance of a victory in the match played this Saturday afternoon (24) against Volta Redonda, in Gávea, Flamengo's U-20 team completely dominated the game from the first to the last minute and gave their opponent no chance. The good victory with a minimum score of 1-0 (Luiz Henrique), the sixth in the seven rounds of the classification phase, not only guaranteed the first place in Group A to the red-black with 18 points won, but also gives the Mais Querido the advantage of playing the only semifinal match at home and being able to draw to reach the final. The opponent will be América, in a duel scheduled for next Wednesday (28) at 15 pm, in Gávea. Botafogo and Vasco face each other in the other semifinal at Engenhão, with Botafogo having the advantage of playing for a draw.

The game started with a bang, and Flamengo pushed forward from the start, seeking victory. Just two minutes in, Lucas Silva cut inside and crossed to Theo inside the six-yard box, but he caught it just wide of the post. In the fifth minute, the ball fell to Theo again, who shot from the edge of the box, threatening Avelino's goal. The pressure was intense. In the 15th minute, Michael pressured the opposition's ball out and stole the ball in the attacking half, advanced at speed, and shot from the edge of the box to the left of the Steel City goal. 

In the 23rd minute, the Mais Querido finally managed to translate its overwhelming dominance into a goal. Michael played a one-two with Bill and knowingly passed the ball to Luiz Henrique, who struck first-time, powerfully, and low into the corner, leaving Avelino no chance to defend, opening the scoring for the Rubro-Negro. In the 31st minute, Theo stole the ball in midfield and led a counterattack. The ball passed through the feet of Vitor Gabriel and Luiz Henrique, who passed it back to Theo. He cut past the defender and fired a low shot, which Avelino made a solid save, in the last scoring chance of the first half.

The game's structure remained unchanged in the second half. Just four minutes in, Flamengo threatened with a shot from outside the box by Bill, to the right of Volta Redonda's goal. In the sixth minute, Braian took a throw-in to Vitor Gabriel. Inside the box, he spun around the defender and hit a powerful shot, hitting the net from the outside. In the 20th minute, just after the timeout, Luiz Henrique reversed the play and found Lucas Silva unmarked. He drove the ball, cleared the defense, and struck powerfully, leaving Avelino with no chance to save. The ball capriciously bounced off the crossbar and out. The Boys from the Nest were dominating the game and already deserved to extend their lead. 

In the 41st minute, Yuri took a free kick near the edge of the penalty area, which Avelino made a great save. In the 44th minute, Yuri almost scored again, but Avelino made the save. It was the last scoring chance of the match. The "Garotos do Ninho" (The Nest Boys) continue their excellent campaign in the 2018 season, and they have the advantage of playing for a draw in the semifinal match next Wednesday against América, in Gávea.

"I'm very happy to score my third goal in this state championship and to once again be able to help my team win three points. Now we're going even stronger for the semifinals, looking for our place in the final and moving firmly towards our goal of winning the Guanabara Cup," said midfielder Luiz Henrique, the only top scorer on Saturday afternoon.

Flamengo: Gabriel Batista, Braian, Bernardo, Aderlan, Michael (Ramon), Hugo Moura (Vinicius Souza), Theo, Lucas Silva (Luan David), Luiz Henrique (Yuri), Bill (Wendel) and Vitor Gabriel. Coach: Mauricio Souza.