Flamengo's top scorer predicts U-20 Intercontinental final against Barcelona "anxiety at a thousand"

Flamengo's U-20 team demonstrated superiority by defeating Maricá 3-1 in an away match for the second round of the Taça Guanabara. Matheus Gonçalves was a standout performer, directly involved in two goals in the first half. The first half featured three decisive plays that secured the Rubro-Negro's two-goal lead at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Matheus Gonçalves started the action with a shot from outside the box that hit the crossbar. In the 43rd minute, he pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired a precise shot into the right corner, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance . Just before halftime, Daniel Sales made a run down the right and crossed for Guilherme, who capitalized on the Maricá defense's mistake and doubled the lead.

SECOND HALF BRINGS REDUCTION TO THE OPPONENT

Early in the second half, Maricá threatened with a free kick that sailed over the crossbar . However, in the seventh minute, the home team managed to pull one back through Wendel, who pounced on a rebound after a shot hit the post. Maricá responded quickly: Daniel Sales combined passes with Guilherme and delivered a cross that nearly resulted in a goal, saved by the opposing goalkeeper on two consecutive occasions.

In the 17th minute, Guilherme was fouled on the edge of the box, and Matheus Gonçalves took the shot , but the ball hit the crossbar. Flamengo sealed the victory in the 23rd minute with a quick counterattack: João Alves passed the ball accurately to Guilherme, who crossed for Iago to finish with precision, making it 3-1. With the advantage, the Rio de Janeiro team controlled the result until the final whistle.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT CHALLENGE

The Rubro-Negro U-20 team returns to action on the 16th at 10 a.m. , facing Bangu in Moça Bonita in the third round of the Guanabara Cup. The team is looking to maintain its positive streak and strengthen its campaign in the state competition.

As is customary, Flamengo was once again impacted by the Brazilian national team's call-ups . For the under-20 team's friendlies against Paraguay on August 8th and 11th, coach Ramon Menezes had called up four Flamengo players. However, after a request from the board, two of them were withdrawn .

Iago and João Victor, both defenders who came through the club's youth system, were removed from the list following an official request from Flamengo. Goalkeeper Lucas Furtado and midfielder Lorran remain confirmed and are expected to report to the national team this Monday (04), in São Paulo. This information comes from the 'Flazoeiro' channel.

WHY DID FLAMENGO ASK FOR THE CALL-UPS?

According to the website 'Coluna do Fla', the club's request was motivated by two main factors: the U-20 Club World Cup on August 23, when Flamengo will face Barcelona (ESP). Furthermore, Filipe Luís wants to count on the defenders for the main team's upcoming matches in the Brazilian Championship. Therefore, Iago and João Victor remain training at Ninho do Urubu.

PREPARATION OF THE U-20 NATIONAL TEAM FOR THE WORLD CUP

Brazil faces Paraguay again after their meeting at the South American Under-20 Championship earlier this year. Brazil won 3-1 in Caracas, securing early qualification for the Under-20 World Cup.

Since then, Ramon Menezes' team has played three friendlies in June in Egypt: a 4-0 victory over South Korea and draws with Iceland (0-0) and Saudi Arabia (1-1) . These matches are part of the preparation for the U-20 World Cup, where Brazil will seek its first title under the new generation.

Flamengo's under-17 team achieved a convincing victory on Wednesday afternoon (3), beating América-MG 3-0 at Arena Vera Cruz, in Betim, Minas Gerais. With a strong offensive performance in the first 45 minutes , Mais Querido built the result that guaranteed them three important points in the 12th round of the Brazilian Under-17 Championship.

The Ninho Boys opened the scoring in the third minute, with Victor Hugo finishing with precision after a pass from Lucas Falcone. The pressure continued, and in the 15th minute, Rafinha doubled the lead with an assist from Gabriel Amâncio. Just before halftime, in the 42nd minute, João Vitor completed Rafinha's move and scored the third, solidifying the red-and-black team's dominance in the first half.

WITH 20 POINTS FROM FLAMENGO

With the result, Daniel Franklin's team reached 20 points and moved up two places in the standings , now occupying eighth place, the last place in the qualifying zone for the next stage of the tournament. This was Mengão 's sixth victory in the championship.

The team returns to action on August 6th, facing Fortaleza at José Bastos Padilha Stadium in Gávea. The team hopes to maintain its momentum and cement its place among the leaders of the national youth competition.

LINEUP AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THE GAME

Flamengo started the match with : Eduardo Clasen, Diego Guimarães, Daniel Monteiro, Levy Dias, Gabriel Amâncio, Rafael Henrique, Rogério Araujo, Lucas Falcone, Guilherme Ivo, João Vitor and Victor Hugo. On the bench were: Gabriel Werneck, João Victor, Pedro Pinho, Fábio Esteves, Heitor Fairbancks, Enzo Pinheiro, João Ricardo, Matheus Tiago, Kaio Gomes, Davi Waisman and Emanuel Silva.