Despite being vastly superior and dominating the derby for the entire 90 minutes, Flamengo's U-15 team missed many clear scoring chances, saw the opposing goalkeeper excel, and only managed a 1-1 draw (Reinier) in the first leg of the Rio Cup final against Fluminense, played this Saturday morning (21), in Laranjeiras. The away result gives the Mais Querido the chance to be champion with a simple victory at home, in a match scheduled for next Thursday (26), at 10 am, in Gávea. Another draw will take the decision to penalty kicks. If they are Rio Cup champions, the Garotos do Ninho will force two more games, again against Fluminense, counting for the overall final of the State Championship in the category.

Fan club members get more Flamengo on the field: the money goes to football and brings more reinforcements, new talent, and structure to the training center! Click and feel the pride of being a fan club member.    

The home team had the first chance to score. In the fourth minute, Kaká hit a cross, and goalkeeper Bruno made a good save. In the ninth minute, Reinier – who, along with midfielder Daniel Cabral and defender and captain Gabriel Noga, had come down to Teresópolis to play in the final on Friday night, where they are training with the Brazilian national team for the South American Championship in the age group – made a beautiful individual play, cut inside the defender, and unleashed a bomb that Marcelo made the first of many great saves in the match. In the 24th minute, Reinier took a free kick, and Marcelo saved it without any problem. Flamengo dominated the game. In the 33rd minute, the best chance of the first half came. Reinier headed in a long ball, leaving Daniel Cabral face-to-face with the goal. He took the shot, and Marcelo made a great save, denying the Mais Querido's first goal of the match.

The second half began with the Red-Blacks creating the first chance, through Reinier. But soon after, Fluminense opened the scoring, with one of their only two clear-cut chances in the entire derby. After a great save by Bruno on a Miguel shot, the ball fell to Calegari, who opened the scoring with an open goal. The Boys from the Nest didn't feel the blow, and immediately went on the attack. In the sixth minute, Reinier was awarded a penalty. He took the penalty himself, leveling the score, which gave a bit more justice to the performance on the field. In the ninth minute, Reinier took a dangerous long-range shot. In the 17th minute, Fluminense created a good chance with Kaká, who shot over Bruno's goal. 

From that moment until the end of the match, the Red-Blacks pressed hard in search of the winning goal. The best chances fell to Dedé in the 22nd minute and Lázaro in the 33rd. After a great one-two with Reinier, he made a beautiful individual play inside the box, beat the defender, and struck powerfully, drawing another great save from Marcelo, who saved Fluminense from defeat.

"Coming from Teresópolis to Rio last night to play this morning was tiring, but when it comes to Flamengo, fatigue is no excuse. I do everything for this club I love so much, and I will always give my all on the field. The whole group played very well in this first game; we dominated the match, but unfortunately the second goal didn't come. Now we need some adjustments for the decisive match in Gávea. Fluminense made it clear they came to defend, even playing at home. The team will train hard, and we'll be looking for the title on Thursday," said Reinier, who, like Gabriel Noga and Daniel Cabral, returned to Granja Comary immediately after the game to rejoin the Brazilian national team. All three will be on the field for Thursday's decisive derby in Gávea.

Flamengo: Bruno, Marcos Felipe, Gabriel Noga, Hugo, Caio, Dhouglas, Daniel Cabral, Samuel (Negueba), Dedé, Reinier and Lazaro (Gabriel dos Santos. Coach: Ramon Lima.