'Directly responsible' - Brazil media verdict on Arsenal stars after 'inconsistent' Uruguay draw

Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes were in action during Brazil's World Cup Qualifier 1-1 draw with Uruguay overnight.

It was another drab performance from Dorival Junior's side, who currently sit fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, seven points from leaders Argentina. Brazil failed to win their two games during this month's international break, drawing 1-1 to Venezuela and Uruguay respectively.

As it stands, Brazil would qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the first six teams securing a place in the tournament. However, the Selecao Canarinha can still climb up the table with games against Colombia and Argentina to come in March next year.

Martinelli, who replaced Abner in the 58th minute, made his third appearance in the qualifiers. Gabriel, meanwhile, has started in all six qualifying games to date.

With that said, football.london has taken a look at how the Brazilian media reported on their performances.

For Globo Esporte, Cahe Mota awarded Gabriel a 6.5 rating and wrote: "One of the best of the first half. He was directly responsible for the volume of Brazil's play in the offensive field, carrying the ball and risking long passes. Defensively, he fulfilled his role in a sector that was exposed in the second half."

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Martinelli meanwhile, was also handed a 6.5 rating. It read: "He tried to ignite the game as much as possible with sprints and attempts at individual plays. He circulated on both sides of the pitch and made no mistake."

Jogada 10 on the other hand, rated Gabriel 5.5, writing: "Out of the defenders, he was the one that had more space to play. However, he struggled to take advantage of that freedom and should have done more to stop the Uruguayan team. He had lapses in focus on the left, clashing with Abner on a few aerial occasions, but recovered in the second half."

Martinelli was awarded a slightly higher rating of 6.5 by Jogada 10: "He came on with enthusiasm, looking for runs and infiltrations, and forced Rochet to make a good save. He tried everything he could, floating along the sides."

Zero Hora handed Martinelli a rating of 6, writing: "An aesthetically beautiful finish on one occasion but nothing more."

Gabriel was given a rating of 5. "He failed to prevent Uruguay's goal after being unable to clear the ball at the beginning of the play," they reported.

In addition, Globo Esporte's Rodrigo Coutinho highlighted Brazil's 'recurring problems' in the game, stating: "For the third time in the current edition of the Qualifiers, the Brazilian team ends this month's qualifiers without a win. The 1-1 draw with Uruguay, in Salvador, confirmed this and marked yet another inconsistent performance by the team led by Dorival Junior.

"Few real chances created for the offensive volume obtained and defensive errors that have already become routine. The match marked the end of one of the most melancholic years in the history of the national team. Despite having only lost one of 14 games, the team drew more than they won and had performances with little offensive repertoire, combined with uncompetitive defensive behaviour. Several players who stand out at their clubs did not come close to the level they can perform."

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