On to the Quarterfinals! Flamengo Secure Qualification with 6-1 Aggregate Win over Criciúma

Flamengo booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil Sub-20 with a commanding 2-0 victory over Criciúma on Tuesday (20th) at Estádio Heriberto Hülse in Santa Catarina. Having already established a 4-1 advantage from the first leg at CT George Helal, the Rubro-Negro sealed a 6-1 aggregate triumph with goals from Sayago and João Vitor Couto.

The Mengão will now await the winner of the Operário-PR versus Náutico (PE) tie to discover their quarterfinal opponent.

The opening 45 minutes saw Criciúma create several promising opportunities in search of overturning their first-leg deficit. Flamengo, carrying a three-goal cushion, defended resolutely and weathered the home side's pressure, relying primarily on quick transitions.

After the interval, the Rubro-Negro converted one of those counterattacking moves into a goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, Joshua delivered a precise pass to Sayago, who received the ball in space, advanced toward goal, and finished with a chip over the goalkeeper to place the ball in the corner: 1-0.

The Argentine forward, who has featured in all of Flamengo's matches in this edition of the Copa do Brasil Sub-20, netted his first tournament goal and reached five for the season.

At the 40-minute mark, the Garotos do Ninho sealed victory with a moment of brilliance. Enzo Pinheiro, freshly introduced, delivered a pinpoint cross for João Vitor Couto. Also recently brought on, the striker took the ball cleanly and, without letting it drop, struck a volley into the top corner.

It was Couto's third goal for the Sub-20 team. In the Sub-17 category for the Mais Querido, he leads the scoring charts with 25 goals.

With the 2-0 victory in Criciúma, Flamengo confirmed their progression to the quarterfinals. Their next opponent will be either Operário-PR or Náutico-PE, who face off on Wednesday (21st) at 3 PM at Estádio dos Aflitos in Recife. The Rubro-Negro squad continues their pursuit of an unprecedented Copa do Brasil Sub-20 title.

Criciúma: Lucas Soratto; Kayck Gomes (Nicolas), Ruan, João Claudino and Galiano (Luan Follmer); Thiaguinho, Davy Ribeiro and Thierri (Leo Lima); Luiz Miguel (Matheus Ramos), Italo Mota (Bruno Spillere) and Gabriel Capella.

Manager: Roberto Volpato Netto.

Caio Marcelo / @caiomarcelofotografia

Flamengo: Léo Nannetti; Diego Guimarães (Enzo Pinheiro), Daniel Silva, Ítalo and Johnny; Lucas Falcone and Jhefinho (Luiz Felipe); Rogério Araujo (Rafael Henrique), Joshua (João Vitor Couto) and Sayago (Andrew); Josmar (Juliano).

Manager: Marcelo Salazar.

The Garotos do Ninho return to action on Saturday (24th) at 3 PM to face Sampaio Corrêa at Estádio Lourival Gomes in the first leg of the state championship quarterfinals.

Criciúma 0 (1) x (6) 2 Flamengo – Second Leg; Copa do Brasil Sub-20 2026 Round of 16

Venue: Estádio Heriberto Hülse – Criciúma, Santa Catarina

Date and Time: 20/10/2026, 7:30 PM

Referee: Igor da Silva Albuquerque (SC), Carlos Eduardo Cardoso (SC), Gabriel Lopes de Jesus (SC) and Cleber Nunes Junior (SC).

Yellow Cards: Johnny (FLA), Davy Ribeiro (CRI) and Nicolas (CRI).

Red Cards: João Claudino (CRI) and Andrew (FLA).

Goals: Sayago (7' 2nd Half) and João Vitor Couto (40' 2nd Half).