Clube of Regatas of 2026. The red and black team demonstrated resilience and talent, overcoming a determined opponent to remain in contention for the third consecutive title in the prestigious continental tournament.
Flamengo’s journey to the final has been marked by consistent performances, highlighting the work to develop athletes in their youth categories. The victory over Olimpia not only stamped the passport for the decision, but also reinforced the hegemony that the “Ninho Boys” have been building on the South American football scene in recent years.
The decisive clash at Equador was full of exciting plays and comebacks, keeping fans on edge until the final whistle. The technical quality of the young athletes on the field was one of the great highlights, with moments of individual and collective brilliance that brightened the semi-final.
Details of an intense semi-final
The match started with Flamengo taking the initiative, looking to attack from the first minutes. The reward didn’t take long to come, when Ryan Roberto, in an individual play of rare beauty, opened the scoring for the Rio team. The striker, who is already one of the competition’s top scorers, demonstrated coolness and precision when finishing.
However, the red-black advantage did not last long. In a controversial move in the area, Olimpia got a penalty, converted by Barone, which equalized the score and put the Paraguayan team back in the game. The goal brought new life to the opponent, who began to press in search of a comeback.
The second stage brought with it a strategic change that would prove crucial for Flamengo. The entry of Pablo Lúcio, who had barely touched the ball, resulted in a spectacular goal. With a powerful shot from outside the area, the young player put Flamengo back in front, igniting the match and generating an even greater atmosphere of tension on the field. Pablo Lúcio’s goal is a testament to the depth and quality of the red and black squad, capable of changing the course of a game with specific substitutions.
The path to the third championship
The search for a third championship is a lofty objective for Flamengo in the Libertadores under-20. The club is already the current two-time champion, having won the title in 2024 against Boca Juniors and in 2025 in a thrilling final against Palmeiras, decided on penalties after a draw in normal time. Essa sequence of success demonstrates the excellence of the groundwork developed in Ninho of Urubu, consolidating Flamengo as a reference in the training of young talents.
The final and the third place match are scheduled for next Sunday, with times yet to be defined by the tournament organizers. Flamengo’s opponent in the decision will come from the clash between Palmeiras and Santiago Wanderers, who would face each other in the other semifinal on Tuesday night. The expectation is for a high-level South American classic, regardless of the opponent.
Flamengo’s trajectory in the Libertadores under-20 is notable not only for its recent titles, but also for its consistency in reaching the final stages. In 2020, for example, the team won third place by beating Libertad, from Paraguai, 5-2, in a match that was also marked by the team’s offensive intensity. Essa success story is an encouragement to today’s generations of “Ninho Boys” who seek to emulate and surpass the achievements of their predecessors.
Moments of tension and overcoming
The game against Olimpia was marked by moments of high tension, including arguments between the players after Flamengo’s second goal. The referee had to intervene, issuing yellow cards to João Victor, from Flamengo, and Cardozo, from Olimpia, to calm the heated spirits. Esse type of incident, common in elimination matches, reflects the importance and intensity of the dispute on the field, where passion and rivalry emerge.
Another moment of drama involved player Lucas Vieira, from Flamengo, who was initially sent off after a reckless play. Contudo, VAR intervention was essential in reversing the decision, changing the red card to yellow, allowing the athlete to continue on the field. Technology, increasingly present in football, shows its relevance in correcting errors and ensuring sporting justice, contributing to the fairness of grassroots competitions.
The match’s technical sheet reveals the composition of the teams and individual highlights:
– Championship:Libertadores sub-20 (Semifinal)
– Date:3/19/2026
– Location:Estádio Banco Guayaquil, Quito (Ecuador)
– Time:4pm (Brasília time)
– Yellow cards:Daniel Sales, Kaio Nóbrega, João Victor and Lucas Vieira (FLA); Cardozo (OLI)
– Goals:Ryan Roberto (FLA), 10′ of the 1st half (1-0); Barone (OLI), 19′ of the 1st half (1-1); Pablo Lúcio (FLA), 27′ of the 2nd half (2-1)
Flamengo, under the command of coach Bruno Pivetti, aligned with Léo Nannetti; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Da Mata, Ramires (Gusttavo); Kaio Nóbrega (Pablo Lúcio), Luiz Felipe (Lucas Vieira), Guilherme, Ryan Roberto, Josmar (John Camargo). Já o Olimpia, trained by Juan Salgueiro, entered the field with Insfrán; Aranda; Caballero (Rolón), Ruíz, Amarilla; Óscar Cardozo, Ledesma, Benítez (Mérida), Freyres; Gamarra (Matrínez), Barone. The tactical changes and player additions were decisive for the outcome of the match, showing the importance of the bench in these competitions.
The legacy of the Garotos of the Ninho
The “talent factory” of Flamengo, affectionately called Garotos of Ninho, has been a fundamental pillar for the club’s success in several categories. The work methodology implemented aims not only at the technical and tactical development of athletes, but also at the formation of citizens, with values and principles that transcend the four lines. The visibility achieved in tournaments such as the Libertadores under-20 is crucial for these young talents to reach higher heights, whether in the Flamengo main team or in other major national and international clubs.
Continuous investment in the youth categories allows Flamengo to maintain a constant flow of high-potential players, ensuring the club’s sporting and financial sustainability. Muitos of the names that shine on the professional scene today, such as Lucas Paquetá, Vinicius Jr. and Reinier, went through this training process and competed in youth competitions that prepared them for career challenges. The Libertadores under-20, in this context, serves as a great stage for the affirmation of these athletes, where they can show their value and adapt to the pressure of a continental tournament.
Winning an eventual third championship would not just be another trophy in the gallery, but a symbol of the work well done and the long-term vision that Flamengo adopts in its football structure. Para the young people who today wear the red-black shirt at the base, the opportunity to play in a Libertadores final is a dream that comes true, a milestone in their promising careers and an important step towards consolidating their names on the football scene.
