'Put in a magnificent display' - Arsenal hail Brazil's Marquinhos for starring v Flying Eagles

English Premier League side Arsenal have their eyes on the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup, with three of their players in the shape of Marquinhos (Brazil), Alexei Rojas (Colombia) and Brooke Norton-Cuffy (England) named in their countries squads for the tournament in Argentina.

The Gunners' attention turned to the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata, where five-time world champions Brazil took on Nigeria in a decisive clash on Saturday evening.

Signed from São Paulo in his native Brazil last summer, Marquinhos recorded six appearances for Arsenal's first team before he was loaned out to Norwich City for the second part of the 2022-2023 season. 

Marquinhos was the standout performer as Brazil defeated the Flying Eagles 2-0, with a goal and an assist to his name, a result that meant the South Americans topped Group D ahead of Italy and Nigeria. 

In the 43rd minute, Marquinhos delivered a perfect set-piece to Jean Pedroso, who climbed at the near post and his header took a deflection into the roof of the net.

In the second minute of first half stoppage time, the Brazil number 16 turned from provider to scorer when he fired a low sot through the legs of goalkeeper Chijoke Aniagboso to double the advantage. 

Reviewing the encounter between Brazil and Nigeria, Arsenal wrote on their official website: "Our winger put in a magnificent display in Argentina to help his nation to victory, and complete their recovery from an opening-game defeat to Italy to advance via a top-spot finish in Group D.

"Marquinhos’ magical night in La Plata began on 43 minutes when his near-post corner was headed into the net by Jean, and then two minutes into first-half stoppage time, he completed a swift counter-attack by firing through the Nigerian goalkeeper’s legs to double his side’s lead."

The Flying Eagles will take on Argentina in the round of 16, while Brazil will face another African opponent Tunisia on May 31.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: cbf.com.br

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