"He was better positioned, so I preferred to pass it, and Paquetá was lucky enough to score." Striker Cafu's simplicity in explaining the beautiful play that led to the second goal demonstrates how Flamengo managed to thrash Vasco 3-0 this Sunday (August 2.08) in the Rio Under-20 Cup. With plenty of passing and marking, the team remained calm in the Vasco da Gama's attacks, but managed to impose itself and comfortably win the match held at Gávea. The team had already won the first leg 2-1 and secured its place in the final.

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The Gávea boys started the match with full force. In the tenth minute, a superb free kick from Cafu resulted in William heading the ball against the post. Flamengo would hit the crossbar again with a free kick taken by Ronaldo after a good play from Robinho. But it was young Cafu who took the set piece that paved the way for victory. In the 42nd minute of the first half, defender Léo Duarte headed the ball from a precise corner kick, leaving goalkeeper Gabriel Félix with no chance. 

After the start of the second half, Mais Querido's second goal came. Cafú received the ball with his back to his defender, beat two defenders at the edge of the box, and passed it to Paquetá, who finished with skill. The team's uncompromising composure didn't let up until Felipe Vizeu scored. At 3-0, Mais Querido played the ball around and waited for the clock to tick down. "Their team is good, they pass the ball around a lot and move it around. But there was a certain moment when we managed to gain possession and work the ball better," revealed Cafu.

Leaving the field, coach Zé Ricardo called on the red-and-black fans to support the team in the final and recalled the difficulty of the two semifinal matches. "They were two difficult matches, and we managed, especially in today's game, to perform well, show good behavior, and thank God everything worked out. It's incredibly draining and emotional to play the same opponent so many times. But it's also a job for us, the coaching staff, and the players, to be prepared for each match," he revealed.