A Flamengo fan's day no red-and-black fan could fault. This was Saturday's youth soccer match, with two important victories against Botafogo at Gávea. After the U-16 team defeated the black and white team 2-1 in the morning, and stayed alive in the final triangular of the Guilherme Embry TournamentIn the afternoon, it was the U-20 team's turn to repeat the feat, also beating the same opponent 2-1 (Samuel and Bill). The victory – the third in three games in the Second Phase of the tournament – ​​puts the "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys) very close to qualifying for the final of the competition, which will come with a victory next Wednesday (November 01st) against Fluminense, again in Gávea, at 11 pm. After three rounds, Flamengo leads Group E with 16 points. Fluminense has 9 points, Botafogo 4, and Audax has just one point so far. 

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The game started very evenly with few clear-cut chances. The first arrived only 14 minutes into the match. Lucas Silva crossed into the box, and Samuel headed the ball past the defense. The ball would have gone into the corner, but goalkeeper Saulo stretched out and managed to save what would have been Botafogo's first goal of the match with his fingertips. Next, it was Botafogo's turn to almost score. Ezequiel received the ball alone, but Hugo Souza made the save. On the rebound, Pachu shot into the open net, but once again Hugo Souza turned giant and cleared the danger with a leg stretch, saving the Ninho Boys. In the 23rd minute, Kleber crossed into the box and João Pedro rose unmarked. But the header was poor, and the ball went out harmlessly to Saulo, who simply watched. 

Botafogo opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a beautiful goal from Rickson, who fired a shot from outside the box into the top corner, leaving Hugo Souza with no chance. In the 30th minute, João Pedro stole the ball in midfield and carried it to the edge of the box. He passed it to Samuel, who fired a weak shot to the right of the black-and-white goal. Flamengo again threatened in the 35th minute. Kleber made a great play, got past three defenders, and passed to Bill. Open on the left wing, he cut inside and fired a shot that drew a superb save from Samuel. Flamengo pressed late in the first half and nearly equalized in the 44th minute. Jean Lucas passed the ball to João Pedro, who got deep and crossed to Lucas Silva. He volleyed beautifully, the ball bouncing off the Botafogo crossbar. It was the last chance for Flamengo before halftime.

The Nest Boys continued to play better at the start of the second half, turning the game around in less than ten minutes. The equalizer came in the fourth minute. Lucas Silva delivered a good pass to Samuel, who cut inside his marker and tapped the ball in, finally beating Saulo and leveling the score. In the ninth minute, the breakthrough came. João Pedro led a superb counterattack and delivered a sweet pass to Bill, who coolly dribbled past the goalkeeper and slotted home, putting the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) ahead. 

In the 16th minute, João Pedro fired a low shot from outside the box, and Saulo appeared again, making another great save and tipping it out for a corner. Botafogo almost equalized in the 18th minute. Ezequiel received the ball in the box and fired a cross. The ball bounced off Hugo Souza's left post, and Michael cleared the danger. In the 27th minute, Jean Lucas led a superb counterattack, leaving the defender on the ground, and shot for a great save by Saulo. On the rebound, Hugo Moura unleashed a rocket from outside the box, and Saulo once again tipped it out for a corner. 

Flamengo held their lead and nearly killed the game in the 47th minute. João Pedro passed to Bill, who found the back of the net and passed to Michael. He fired a first-time shot with his right foot, preventing Saulo from preventing Flamengo's third goal in the derby. Then, it was just a matter of waiting for the final whistle to celebrate maintaining their 100% record in the second phase of the OPG Tournament. With a win against Fluminense next Wednesday, the "Garotos do Ninho" will be guaranteed a spot in the competition's grand final. 

"Thank God I was able to use my technical skills during the goal to get past the goalkeeper, who thought I was going to touch the ball, and help the team. Our improvement game after game is the result of hard work and the healthy competition that exists between us athletes. Mauricinho is a great coach and has been helping us a lot day after day, both individually and as a team. We are getting stronger and stronger, and I hope we can continue to improve until the end of the competition," said Bill.

Coach: Mauricio Souza.