A qualification that perfectly reflects Flamengo: through grit. That's how the Rubro-Negro youth team secured its spot in the Belo Horizonte Cup semifinals. With a goal from Diego Maurício in the 28nd minute, in a match that featured three red cards and some very confusing refereeing, the youngsters from Ninho do Urubu beat Santos 1-0 and secured their spot to face Internacional in the next round.

Coach Armênio Moura's team consisted of Marcelo Carné, Henrique, Christiano, Anderson; Hugo Soria, Luiz Antônio, João Vitor, Dieguinho, Isac, and Diego Maurício. After a tense and closely contested first half, Flamengo's Rafael Galhardo and a Santos forward were sent off, and both teams returned to the second half with ten men.

The natural course of the match seemed to be a draw, but Flamengo surprised. On a counterattack, top scorer Diego Maurício opened the scoring. Santos then decided to try to push forward, but were unable to equalize. Flamengo defender Christiano was even sent off late on, but nothing took away the brilliance of Flamengo's victory.

In the next round, Diego Maurício and company face Internacional, who eliminated São Paulo on penalties yesterday after a 0-0 draw in regulation time. Christiano and Galhardo, sent off, will not play. Lucas, who served a suspension against Santos, however, returns to the team.