ANALYSIS - Raisa Simplicio
A Neymar penalty on Friday night ensured Brazil a fifth consecutive Brasil Global Tour victory.
The Selecao captain hit the only goal of the game in a hard-fought contest in London.
Below, Brasil Global Tour look back at the major talking points from the Emirates Stadium.
It was not a perfect night for Neymar, but seeing the Selecao no.10 repeatedly take responsibility for the team was encouraging. He constantly demanded the ball and continuously set about initiating his side’s attacks.
Drifting from his starting position on the left, Neymar looked to switch the play, penetrate centrally and attempt to play his colleagues past a stubborn and impressive Uruguayan backline. The PSG man played one spectacular ball that substitute Richarlison only narrowly put wide, and kept a cool head to convert with ease from the spot after Danilo won a penalty.
Of all those called up to the Brazil squad this month, only Allan had not been closely watched by coach Tite. With Renato Augusto having to hastily arrange a trip from China following an injury to Casemiro and having missed a couple of training sessions this week, Napoli midfielder Allan came in for 35 minutes against Uruguay and certainly showed enough to stake a very serious claim at a start versus Cameroon on Tuesday.
Allan injected both energy and a calmness in possession that impressed Tite enough to single out his new man for specific praise following a brief but productive debut for the former Vasco man.
Alisson has grown accustomed to fairly quite evenings in his three years since becoming Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper. The Selecao have now conceded just eight goals in 25 matches since Tite’s arrival and his goalkeeper is rarely called into action.
But even Alisson couldn’t expect a quiet night with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani around – and the Liverpool goalkeeper once again underlined why he has remained ahead of Ederson in this team, making a great save from each of Uruguay's deadly duo.
After an international call-up practically fell into his lap following the injury of his friend Pedro, Everton forward Richalison has made quite an impression on everyone since his international debut in September.
Whether starting or on the bench, Richarlison has featured at some point in all five of Brazil’s post-World Cup games and is fast-becoming a favourite both on and off the pitch. Despite missing an excellent chance after arriving as a substitute against Uruguay, he once again impressed and spoke Friday night about securing his place at Copa America next summer – few would bet against that right now.
Despite facing two ‘clasicos’, first against Argentina and then Uruguay, Brazil have marched to five straight wins on the Brasil Global Tour since the World Cup in Russia.
While the quality of play is often more important than the results in friendly matches, the Selecao will take great confidence from having kicked off a new era so smoothly. With 11 goals and five straight clean sheets, Tite will believe he remains on the right track while also admitting he still has work to as he looks to find the right blend for a must-win Copa America.