In a thrilling encounter at the Estádio Castelão in São Luís, Flamengo edged past Botafogo-PB with a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of the third phase of the Copa Betano do Brasil on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The match was marked by a standout performance from 17-year-old Joshua, who scored the decisive goal in his professional debut, showcasing the promise of Flamengo's youth academy.
Joshua entered the match in the 33rd minute, replacing Gonzalo Plata, and made an immediate impact. In the 39th minute of the second half, he capitalized on a rebound after a header from Juninho was saved by the Botafogo-PB goalkeeper, Michael. With a predatory instinct, Joshua found himself in the right place at the right time, slotting the ball into the net and sending the Flamengo supporters into raptures.
Flamengo's head coach, Filipe Luís, expressed immense pride in Joshua's performance. "The Joshua was my number 10 in the under-17s, and I was deeply emotional when he scored. For a coach, few things are as fulfilling as seeing a young player you have nurtured succeed at the highest level," he said. Filipe further praised Joshua's talent, comparing him to key players like Arrascaeta, highlighting his decision-making and composure in the attacking third.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances throughout the match, Flamengo struggled to find the back of the net until Joshua's late intervention. The team registered a whopping 24 shots, but many opportunities went begging, including a glaring miss from Michael earlier in the game when he failed to convert a chance with the goal at his mercy.
Filipe Luís noted, "We created many chances but lacked the finishing touch today. The players are aware of the missed opportunities, and it hurts when they don't convert the beautiful moments in football into goals. However, we must keep working and improving in that area." The coach also acknowledged the challenging playing conditions, stating, "The pitch was not in great shape, but I prefer to focus on what I can control, which is my team. We need to look ahead now.
The match began with Flamengo asserting their dominance early on, controlling the tempo and keeping Botafogo-PB pinned back in their half. The first significant chance came just 11 minutes into the game when Michael tried to chip the goalkeeper, only to see his effort sail just wide of the left post. The relentless pressure continued, but Flamengo's finishing was off-target, with several shots either blocked or saved.
As the game progressed, Botafogo-PB managed to create a few chances of their own, but they were few and far between. The best opportunity for the home side came from a long-range effort by Erick, which was comfortably saved by Flamengo's goalkeeper, Matheus Cunha.
Both teams made tactical substitutions in the second half, but Flamengo continued to dominate. The introduction of Juninho for Michael aimed to inject fresh energy into the attack, but it was Joshua's late arrival that ultimately made the difference.
In the aftermath of the match, Joshua reflected on his debut and the significance of scoring his first professional goal. "I am very calm. I always waited for this moment, and thanks to God, I was fortunate to be there at the right time. I will sleep peacefully tonight," he said, expressing gratitude to Filipe Luís and his family for their unwavering support.
Joshua's journey to this moment has been remarkable; he has been a prolific scorer in the youth ranks, netting over 100 goals across various age categories. His contract with Flamengo runs until the end of 2029 and includes a hefty release clause of 70 million euros (approximately R$ 448 million), reflecting the club's faith in his potential.
While Flamengo celebrates this victory, they are already looking ahead to their next challenge. The return leg against Botafogo-PB is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the Maracanã Stadium, where Flamengo will be aiming to secure their place in the next round of the Copa do Brasil. In the meantime, Flamengo will face Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte on Sunday, May 4, 2025, for a crucial Brasileirão clash.
On the other hand, Botafogo-PB will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their upcoming match against Guarani in Série D. After putting up a valiant effort against Flamengo, they will be eager to bounce back and secure points in their league campaign.
This match not only highlighted the talent emerging from Flamengo's youth academy but also set the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the Copa do Brasil. With Joshua's debut goal, fans are left hopeful for a bright future as the young striker looks to build on this promising start.
