Flamengo edge Barcelona on penalties to win second U20 world title | OneFootball

Flamengo and Barcelona Play Exciting Match at Maracanã

CHAMPIONS! An electrifying ending marked the decision of the Under-20 Club World Cup. With a goal for each team in the second half's extra time, Flamengo and Barcelona (ESP) drew 2-2 at Maracanã on Saturday (23). Lorran and Iago, at 50 minutes of the final stage, scored for Mengão. The Catalans scored with Virgili and Cortês, who hit the net seconds before the red-black goal. In the penalties, THE MOST LOVED IS THE UNDER-20 WORLD CHAMPION!

HOW WAS THE FIRST HALF?

Despite the support of the Flamengo fans, Barcelona started better in the game, creating good chances in the mistakes of the Red-Black team's ball outlet. The Catalans, as they historically do, used and abused the tiki-taka, with touches on the ball outlet. However, the team's best characteristic had the opposite effect, and Mengão opened the scoring.

In a defensive error by Barcelona, Lorran stole the ball and sprinted with speed. At 10 minutes, the number 11 touched the ball to Matheus Gonçalves, who couldn't finish and fell in the area. On the rebound, Lorran only had to push the ball into the net and take the zero off the scoreboard. Party at Maracanã!

After the goal, Flamengo retreated and waited for Barcelona. The visitors had more ball possession, and Mengão waited for gaps to counterattack. At 29 minutes, Joshua almost scored, after being face-to-face with the goalkeeper, who made a great save. With 44', almost an equalizer. Virgili shot from outside the area, hitting the crossbar of Léo Nannetti.

HOW WAS THE SECOND HALF?

Just like in the first half, Barcelona started better in the final stage. At 7 minutes, after a corner kick, Cortês rose absolutely free and headed the ball out. To try to stop the Catalan growth, Bruno Pivetti made two changes: Pedro Leão and Gusttavo left, and Shola and Carbone entered, at 12 minutes.

And the Nigerian entered with everything. In his first play, Shola sprinted down the left and left Joshua in a good position to finish, but the goalkeeper made the save. In the sequence, the African shot with danger, the goalkeeper deflected the ball to the middle of the area, and no one took advantage. The plays made the Nation explode at Maracanã.

However, the scoreboard was fair at 25 minutes of the second half, with a beautiful goal. With Barcelona better in the game, Virgili received a long pass, cleared Iago, Carbone, and Léo Nannetti before shooting with his left foot into the net. Everything was equal at Maracanã. After the goal, it was all about the Spanish team, which missed a truckload of goals. Some due to the attackers' mistakes, others due to incredible saves by the red-black goalkeeper. At that moment, the draw was a gain for Flamengo.

IMPRESSIVE ENDING

The judge gave four minutes of extra time. At 49', Cortès turned the game around for Barcelona, practically sealing the title for the visitors. However, the incredible happened. At 50', Flamengo showered the ball into the area, and Iago equalized, also with a header, covering the opposing goalkeeper. Everything was equal, and it was time for penalties at Maracanã!

WHEN WILL BE THE NEXT FLAMENGO UNDER-20 GAME?

After the dispute of the Club World Cup, Flamengo under-20 returns to the field next Saturday (30), to play the classic against Fluminense, for the Carioca Championship of the category. The match takes place at 10 am (Brasília time), with the rival's home field, at Estádio Marcelo Vieira, in Xerém.

TECHNICAL FILEFLAMENGO 2X2 BARCELONACompetition: Under-20 Club World CupLocation: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de JaneiroDate: August 23, 2025, SaturdayGoals: Lorran 10’/1º, Virgili 25’/2º, Cortès 49’/2º, Iago 50’/2º

LINEUPS

Flamengo: Léo Nannetti; Daniel Sales, Iago, João Victor, and Gusttavo; João Alves, Guilherme, and Lorran; Matheus Gonçalves, Joshua, and Pedro Leão. Coach: Bruno Pivetti.

Barcelona: Éder Aller, Xavi Espart, Landry Farre, Cuenca, Jan Virgili, Brian Fariñas, Oscar Gistau, Quim Casanova, Juan Hernandez, Álvaro Cortes Moyano, Pedro Rodríguez. Coach: Juliano Belletti.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.