Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil are back in the win column as goals from Chelsea starlet Estevao Willian and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro delivered a 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday.
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It was an intriguing first half between two sides with big World Cup hopes, as Senegal opened up a few chances on the rush but mostly had to contend with a lively Brazil side hoping to make amends for a 3-2 loss to Japan in Chofu last break.
That they did, shutting out Senegal as they did South Korea, Chile, Paraguay, and Ecuador in four of their six outings. Brazil now head to Lille for a Tuesday friendly against Tunisia.
Senegal lose for the first time this season and now head to Turkiye for a Tuesday friendly that will serve as their last match before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Estevao’s star continues to rise with Brazil’s World Cup hopes
Brazil are always in focus around the World Cup given their many triumphs, but this team is very much a favorite to win it and explode the star of Chelsea 18-year-old Estevao Willian. Estevao cleaned up a loose ball with a clinical finish to open the scoring and was part of an attack that might’ve registered a blowout on another day (Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha got into dangerous places but did not finish, while Cunha and Vinicius Junior were also too self-possessed in possession. With a tremendous midfield led by Bruno Guimaraes and experience in the back line and behind, Brazil can ended their wait for another World Cup and Ancelotti may be the ego-massager to deliver the goods.
Brazil vs Senegal final score: 2-0
Estevao Willian 28', Casemiro 36'
More subs
Into the final hour where there have been a number of substitutions.
Senegal brought off Mane, Antoine Mendy, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Gueye, and Ismail Jakobs, bringing into the game Ibrahim Mbaye, Pathe Ciss, Malick Diouf, Cheikh Sabaly, and Cherif Ndiaye.
Brazil remove Estevao and Rodrygo for Luiz Henrique and Lucas Paqueta.
Imprecise final third play defying blowout ideas
Brazil are just making errors or misreading each other in the box.
Expertise in body language has not been needed as would-be scorers have been lamenting the extra touches taken by could-be assisters who are instead trying to create a chance for themselves.
And so Senegal are still in this.
Brazil subs
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro replaced Cunha, while Wesley ends the ‘home’ game for Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes.
Ederson gaffe!
The Fenerbahce man and ex-Man City keeper is slow to a pass and knifes it onto the path of Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye.
How the Everton man hits the post and not the yawning goal is even more remarkable.
Senegal still trail by two.
Pape Matar Sarr injury
The Spurs man is off with a leg injury, and replacing him is Bayern Munich’s Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson’s scored thrice for Bayern Munich in under 350 minutes.
Halftime — Brazil 2-0 Senegal
Senegal had a chance during stoppage time, and VAR checked for a penalty as the Lions of Teranga finally got some relief from Brazil’s relentless work.
The game has been spicy, too, as Senegal are clearly not used to getting bossed around the pitch. The West Africans have actually had just a bit more of the ball but Brazil have pit six of their nine shots on target and are the team on the pitch through 45 minutes.
Mendy has four saves, three on shots from inside the box. Senegal have only managed to get one of their seven shots to Ederson.
Casemiro goal — Brazil 2-0 Senegal
Another dangerous free kick for Brazil, and this time it’s Rodrygo overseeing the service.
He spins one of the back line to a waiting Casemiro, who has time to settle and finish past Mendy before Kalidou Koulibaly can close him down.
Koulibaly thinks Casemiro must’ve been offside. At first look, the run is perfect but VAR is taking a long look at it.
Onside.
Estevao Willian goal — Brazil 1-0 Senegal
Casemiro’s shot or hard-pass takes a big turn and rolls out to the right side of the Senegalese box.
It’s the 18-year-old Chelsea starlet snapping a clinical shot pass ex-Chelsea man Eduoard Mendy to give his country a 1-0 lead in North London.
It’s his fourth goal in 10 caps spanning just over 300 minutes (as of goal time), all four goals coming in his last five caps.
Cunha’s mini-curse
Like club, like country.
Brazil are living in Senegal’s end, and Bruno Guimaraes spins in a glorious cross from the end line to his left.
Cunha has cut into open space and is in a great spot to head home but turns the chance off the cross bar!
0-0, 18'.
Feverish start
Chances already at both ends for Vinicius Junior (saved by Eduoard Mendy), Ismaila Sarr (volleyed wide of the Brazil goal), and Matheus Cunha (off the post).
Promising goals, as expected.
Brazil lineup
Ederson, Militao, Marquinhos, Magalhaes, Sandro, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
Senegal lineup
E. Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, A. Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, P.M. Sarr, Pape Gueye, I. Sarr, I. Ndiaye, Mane
Brazil vs Senegal preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Ancelotti has turned the Selecao around since taking charge in the summer, pushing them over the line in World Cup qualifying and making them much better defensively as well as giving fresh belief to their incredibly talented attackers. Brazil clearly have the talent but Ancelotti has provided calmness and structure which means they should be among the favorites to go all the way in the World Cup next summer.
Senegal are looking really good ahead of the World Cup next summer too, as Pape Thiaw guided them through an impressive qualifying campaign as they didn’t lose a game and conceded just four times across 10 games. Thiaw has won 10 of his 12 games in charge of Senegal and is yet to taste defeat after replacing the hugely successful Aliou Cisse. Senegal have a lovely balance of youth and experience and are among the favorites to win the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off next month in Morocco.
Brazil team news, focus
The likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have starred in recent friendly wins, while Chelsea teenager Estevao is a huge talent and all three are perfect for the way Ancelotti likes to play. Defensively and in midfield Ancelotti has an experienced, solid core with Arsenal’s Gabriel, Manchester United’s Casemiro and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes a great base to build around. Add in Ancelotti’s close connection with several Brazilian stars he’s coached at club level before and things are looking very settled for the five-time World Cup champions, who could also welcome back Neymar before the World Cup as he continues to work back to full fitness.
Senegal team news, focus
Captain Sadio Mane is still going strong in attack, while Senegal have an extremely experienced team and next summer they will look to build on their run to the World Cup last 16 in 2022. There are also plenty of promising youngsters such as Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Pape Matar Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye as Senegal continue to produce top talent. Senegal beat England in a friendly back in June and will be full of confidence facing Brazil.
Brazil vs Senegal prediction
This has all of the hallmarks of being a brilliant game as both teams have superb attacking talents and will look to show off. Brazil 4-2 Senegal.
How to watch Brazil vs Senegal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Saturday (November 15)
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London, England
TV Channel/Streaming: beIN Sports USA
