Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli helped Brazil top their World Cup group on Wednesday night, with the duo among five Arsenal internationals to have secured progression to the knockouts.
Brazil showed no mercy to Scotland on Wednesday night, easing past their opponents 3-0 to top the group and leave Steve Clarke’s side on the verge of elimination.
Gabriel Magalhaes started the game, having played every minute of the tournament so far. The centre-back helped his team to their second clean sheet in a row, and Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli came on for the final 24 minutes in his second sub appearance of the tournament.
With Morocco winning in the other game against Haiti, Brazil needed the win to top the group, with the Gabriels becoming the second set of Arsenal players to top their group after Kai Havertz and Germany.
In total, Arsenal have five internationals confirmed in the World Cup knockouts, with William Saliba of France and Martin Odegaard of Norway both also guaranteed to progress.
As it stands, none of Arsenal’s 15 players have been eliminated, and quite a few of the 10 whose fate is unconfirmed are in good positions to reach the next stage.
Though not mathematically certain, Spain and England are both extremely likely to progress. With four points and as group leaders, they could almost certainly lose their final games and still make it through.
That would mean Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, David Raya, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke all making the knockouts, only leaving three players with genuine uncertainty around their progression.
Sweden and Viktor Gyokeres remain in a good position despite their 5-1 defeat in the last game, as they still have three points, a goal difference of zero, and six goals scored.
Any result against Japan would see them through, and even a defeat might be enough as long as they don’t lose by four goals again.
Belgium and Leandro Trossard certainly cannot afford a defeat to New Zealand, and a draw might be risky. Though if Egypt beat Iran, a draw would still be enough. A win would definitely see Belgium through, and you’d expect them to get it.
Then Ecuador and Piero Hincapie are easily in the worst position of the Arsenal internationals. They must win in their final game against Germany, with any other result sending them home.
The only potential saving grace is that Germany have already topped the group, and have little to play for. But if the same team that has racked up a tournament-high nine goals in two games turns up again on Thursday night, Ecuador will be in trouble.
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