U-20 defeats Vasco again in the final and is the two-time Rio de Janeiro champion at São Januário Stadium
Rodrigo Muniz scores his 28th goal of the season in a 1-1 draw, and the youth team wins its 20th title in 2019. The third for the U-20 team at their rival's home ground.
By Ian Sena - inWith the dominant performance throughout the two decisive matches of the competition, Flamengo's U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, defeated Vasco in the final for the third time in the 2019 season. After winning the Guanabara Cup and the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament, the "Garotos do Ninho" drew 1-1 (Rodrigo Muniz) in the second leg of the State Championship final. A detail: all of their victories were at São Januário Stadium. With a 2-0 victory in the first leg played at the Luso-Brasileiro Stadium on Ilha do Governador, the 3-1 aggregate score gave the "Garotos do Ninho" their second consecutive State Championship title. Last year, they also won the title against Vasco, with a 1-0 victory in the derby played at Maracanã.
The Game
The teams were still warming up on the field when, just seven minutes in, the Garotos do Ninho opened the scoring with their first attack. Ítalo delivered a superb cross to Rodrigo Muniz. Well-positioned inside the box, the striker tapped the ball into the back of the Vasco net. It was his 28th goal of the season. Vasco only attacked in the 15th minute, with a shot from Pec that was off-targeted by Hugo Souza. In excellent form, the red-and-black defender made a great save and palmed the ball away for a corner.
In the 25th minute, Rodrigo Muniz again received the ball at the edge of the box, beat his marker, and fired a powerful shot that was well saved by goalkeeper Halls. However, the referee only signaled a goal kick. Flamengo was far superior on the field and was closing in on a second goal. In the 35th minute, Wendel burst into the box and fired a dangerous cross shot to the right of Halls' goal.
The second half began much as the first had ended: with Vasco dominating the field. In the first minute, Rodrigo Muniz headed the ball, and Yuri de Oliveira fired it over the crossbar. But in the 24th minute, Vasco equalized through Luan. After that, the home team tried to apply pressure, but the best chances fell to the Mais Querido. In the 40th minute, Rodrigo Muniz launched a fast counterattack and passed it to Lázaro, who fired it over the bar. In the 47th minute, Rodrigo Muniz chipped the ball over the bar, but Halls recovered and made a great save. But it wasn't a foul. The referee blew the final whistle, and the Garotos do Ninho celebrated their second state championship and their 20th youth soccer title in 2019.
Coach: Mauricio Souza.