Criciúma is here! Flamengo defeats Fortaleza and secures a spot in the second round of the Brazilian Under-18 Championship.
With goals from Mariana Fernandes and Maria Peck (2), Meninas da Gávea win 3-1 and advance first in the group
By Rafael Rezende - inFirst objective completed! On Saturday afternoon (06), Flamengo beat Fortaleza 3-1, closing the first stage of the Brasileirão Sub-18 as the sole leader of the group and sealing their place in the second phase, which will be played in Criciúma. Mariana Fernandes and Maria Peck (2) scored the goals of the match.
The game
Pressing hard from the opening whistle, Mengão quickly opened the scoring. Mariana Fernandes pressured the defense, successfully dispossessed the ball, and the ball fell to Maria Peck. The number 10 seized the opportunity: 1-0. After the timeout, Fortaleza tied the match with a penalty kick. The equalizer didn't last long. In the 32nd minute, Naely crossed, Mariana Fernandes finished into the goal, putting Mengão back in front.
In the second half, Mariana Fernandes delivered a great pass, and Maria Peck scored the third in the eighth minute. Given this scenario, the Red-Blacks created other chances but failed to convert. In the end, they simply had to manage and celebrate their way to the second round.
And now?
Having qualified as the best team in the group, Mengão will now face Internacional, Palmeiras, and Santos. They will all play against each other, and the top two will advance to the tournament semifinals.
Flamengo lineup:
Yasmin (Tainá); Duda Basílio, Carol Pereira, Larissa Baiana and Ana Portugal (Lorena); Naely, Kaylane and Ju Lopes (Leticia); Maria Peck, Mariana Fernandes (Sarah) and Tuane (Vitória).