Brazil continued their preparations for next year’s World Cup in fine fashion with a comfortable 2-0 win over Senegal.
The Selecao ended last month’s international break with a 3-2 defeat to Japan in the Far East, but they were much improved at Emirates Stadium against a Senegal side that went unbeaten in qualifying for the 2026 finals.
Goals from Estevao and Casemiro proved enough for Brazil, who saw defender Gabriel go off injured in the second half at his home stadium. Senegal, meanwhile, lost midfielder Pape Sarr to injury, which will be of concern to a Tottenham side already missing a host of first-team players.
Senegal beat England 3-1 back in June and went close early in North London through an Ismaila Sarr volley.
But Brazil quickly took control, with Matheus Cunha twice hitting the woodwork inside the opening 16 minutes, the Manchester United forward teed up on each occasion by Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Brazil took the lead in the 28th minute, with Estevao making no mistake when his opportunity came. The Chelsea teenager found the net with a sublime first-time finish after the ball fortuitously broke his way in the area, and eight minutes later Casemiro gave Brazil complete control.
Casemiro was left completely unmarked from a free-kick, with Cunha’s United team-mate afforded the time and space to pick his spot and curl home.
The goal was eventually awarded following a long VAR check, though Brazil were grateful to Ederson for preserving their two-goal lead going into half-time after he saved well to deny Ismaila Sarr.
There was never any sign of a Senegal fightback in a more low-key second half, with Brazil’s attention now turning to a meeting with Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday.
Brazil team vs Senegal
Brazil starting XI: Ederson; Marquinhos, Militao, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
Senegal team vs Brazil
Senegal starting XI: Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, PM Sarr, Pape Gueye, I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane.
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place on December 5 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the ceremony starting at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
