Flamengo secures an important victory against Cruzeiro, away from home, in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship

Photo: Gustavo Martins/Cruzeiro

Facing the then-leaders of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, Flamengo defeated Cruzeiro 1-0 away from home, reaching ten points with their third victory in the sixth round of the competition. Despite the narrow margin, the "Garotos do Ninho" (Nest Boys) comfortably defeated the Minas Gerais team on the artificial turf of Toca da Raposa 1 on Wednesday. Wallace Yan scored the goal in the 10th minute of the first half.

The victory was crucial, as Flamengo was coming off a draw with América-MG, playing at Gávea. Despite a solid performance, the team ended up taking risks by failing to capitalize on chances to kill the match and nearly letting their opponent equalize late on. The result left Flamengo in the quarterfinals zone.

Flamengo had the first good chance of the game. Wallace Yan headed wide after Gusttavo's cross, which was well passed by defender Iago, in the third minute. Cruzeiro retaliated two minutes later with a dangerous corner kick. Wallace Yan had another good chance, finishing at the far post in the seventh minute, after another centered ball, this time from the right, by Daniel Sales.

The goal finally came in the 10th minute, with a play orchestrated on the left, with Joshua passing to Guilherme. Cruzeiro's goalkeeper saved the ball, and Wallace Yan netted the rebound, converting his third attempt of the game. Cruzeiro dominated the match, with good passing exchanges on both the right and left. In the 14th minute, Guilherme fired a shot and once again threatened the opposing defense.

In the 20th minute, Leo Nannetti made a stunning save after a header from a corner kick. The goalkeeper palmed it away and then safely cleared another corner kick from the opposition. Cruzeiro came close to scoring again, but the number 1 saved again.

The pace slowed slightly, and even so, Wallace Yan returned to shoot after a steal in the attacking half in the 30th minute. Cruzeiro was trying to attack and came out strong in the 41st minute, with a quick steal that ended in a dangerous shot to Nannetti's left. Nothing significant happened until the referee's whistle ended the first half.

Less than two minutes in, the Minas Gerais team hit the crossbar after a defensive indecision. The goal was left open, and luckily, the opposing striker missed his target. In the 9th minute, it was Flamengo's turn to attack on the left. Daniel Sales appeared unexpectedly, shot, and Otávio palmed it away.

Cruzeiro tried to keep possession of the ball to attack, but were unable to find any effectiveness. Flamengo, on the other hand, sought to be lethal, with quick exits, but failed to extend their lead. They could have conceded the equalizer twice in the 45th minute: a shot that hit the post and then two saves by Leo Nannetti in the same play, one of which was quite difficult. The game ended, and Mengão returned home with three crucial points for the rest of the competition.

Cruzeiro 0x1 Flamengo

Brazilian Championship - Under-20

Fox's Den I - Belo Horizonte, MG

Goal: Wallace Yan (10'/1H)

Lineup: Leo Nannetti; Daniel Sales, Iago, João Victor, Gusttavo (Wanderson); Rayan Lucas, João Alves, Lorran (Pedro Leão); Guilherme (Shola), Joshua (Mora) and Wallace Yan (Fabiano).

Coach: Nuno Campos