In a fiercely contested match from start to finish, Flamengo fought hard, created several chances, and defeated Botafogo 2-1 in the second leg of the Copa Rio U-20 final. Despite the victory, the team was unable to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg and finished second in the tournament. Brendha and Cerqueira scored the red-and-black goals.

The game

Needing a result, Mais Querido started by pressing and suffocating the opponent. The first dangerous move came just three minutes in, following a cross from Isabela Nunes and a shot from Duda Mattos that went wide. Leane then lifted the ball into the box, which Kaylane Vieira deflected and nearly scored. In the 19th minute, Anna Luiza lined up and passed to Brendha, who was blocked just as she was about to finish. The ball was clearly in control.

In the 23rd minute, Brendha went to the baseline and found Cerqueira in the box. The number 5 came in with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. After the technical timeout, the intensity dropped slightly, and Botafogo opened the scoring with Rhaissa's corner kick. In stoppage time, Kaylane Vieira headed the ball, but Grazy prevented it with her hand. The referee signaled a penalty, and Brendha converted: 1-1.

The second half was much the same. At home, the Meninas da Gávea played in attack and failed to expand early on because the goalkeeper performed a miracle on Carol Martins' header. Between the 15th and 20th minutes, Ana Papel and Anna Luiza had good chances, but the ball stubbornly refused to go in. In the 25th minute, Cerqueira took a free kick into the corner and scored a stunning goal: 2-1. Despite the completely adverse scenario, the team showed courage and tried until the end, but failed to find the net again and ended the competition without the title.

Next appointment

Mengão will play again on Thursday (12), against Real Heips, in the debut of the Brasileirão Feminino Sub-20.

Flamengo lineup

Bibi; Emilly, Duda Mattos (Ana Papel), Carol Martins and Isabela Nunes (Maria Fernanda); Cerqueira, Larissa (Sofia) and Anna Luiza; Leane (Campos), Kaylane Vieira (Dudinha) and Brendha.
Coach: Filipe Torres.

Technical sheet

Flamengo 2x1 Botafogo - second leg of the U-20 Rio Cup final
Location: Gávea
Date and time: August 08th at 06pm
Goals: Rhaissa (48'1st half), Brendha (50'1st half) and Cerqueira (25'2nd half).