Flamengo routs Criciúma 4-1 to seize commanding advantage in Copa do Brasil U-20
Four different goalscorers give Rubro-Negro early edge in last-16 tie as academy side dominates
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Flamengo's academy side delivered a commanding performance in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil U-20 last-16 tie, routing Criciúma 4-1 on Wednesday (14th) at CT George Helal.
Under the guidance of manager Marcelo Salazar, the Rubro-Negro now carry a three-goal cushion into Tuesday's (20th) return fixture at Estádio Heriberto Hülse in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time. Flamengo will secure a quarter-final berth even if they lose the second leg by a margin of two goals.
Match Report
Flamengo broke the deadlock in the 31st minute of the first half. Following Sayago's corner delivery, the ball deflected off Lucas Falcone and fell to defender Diego Queiroz, who made no mistake to open the scoring.
Sayago was involved again at the 40th-minute mark, launching a pass to Dieguinho, who surged forward and doubled the lead to 2-0.
Gilvan de Souza / CRF
Criciúma pulled one back three minutes into the second half through Gabriel Capella. Flamengo responded swiftly, though, as substitute Andrew set up fellow replacement Pablo Lúcio in the 18th minute. The attacking midfielder finished clinically from close range to restore the three-goal advantage.
The goal held special significance for Lúcio, marking his first outing since suffering an injury on 10 July during a Copa OPG match against Botafogo. His previous goal had come on 1 July from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw with Avaí in the 19th round of the Brazilian U-20 Championship.
Rafinha sealed a commanding victory with a sublime finish in the 41st minute of the second half. After receiving a pass from Enzo Pinheiro, the attacker curled a left-footed effort into the net to confirm the 4-1 triumph.
Gilvan de Souza / CRF
Lineups
Flamengo: Leo Nannetti; Diego Guimarães (Enzo Pinheiro), Diego Queiroz, Miguel Távora and Ítalo (Gustavo Ramires); Lucas Falcone and Rogério Araujo (Andrew); Jhefinho, Joshua (Pablo Lúcio) and Sayago (Rafael Henrique); Josmar (Victor Hugo).
Manager: Marcelo Salazar.
Criciúma: Lucas Soratto; Kayke Gomes, Ruan, João Caludino and Galiano (Luan Follmer); Lucas Bugs and Luiz Miguel; Thiaguinho, Thierri (Davy Ribeiro) and Gabriel Capella; Italo Mota.
Manager: Roberto Volpato.
Upcoming Fixtures
Flamengo's academy returns to action on Saturday (17th) at 3 p.m. against Maricá at CT George Helal for the 11th and final round of the Taça Guanabara.
In the Copa do Brasil, the Rubro-Negro will travel to face Criciúma on Tuesday (20th) at 7:30 p.m. at Estádio Heriberto Hülse for the second leg of the last-16 tie.
Match Statistics
Flamengo 4-1 Criciúma – First Leg; Copa do Brasil U-20 2026 Last-16
Venue: CT George Helal – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Date and kick-off: 14/10/2026, 3 p.m. local time
Referees: Pierry do Nascimento e Silva (RJ), Arthur Queiroz da Rocha (RJ), Matheus da Silva Coelho (RJ) and Leandro Moura Martins Nicol (RJ).
Bookings: Lucas Bugs (Criciúma) and Jhefinho (Flamengo).
Goals: Diego Queiroz (31', 1st half), Dieguinho (40', 1st half), Gabriel Capella (3', 2nd half), Pablo Lúcio (18', 2nd half) and Rafinha (41', 2nd half).
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