A month after the remarkable 3-2 defeat to Japan — which exposed collective and individual failures and took the Brazilian team out of its comfort zone —, Brazil returned to the field to show if it had learned something. This Saturday (15), with a more aggressive stance and tactical adjustments that gave balance to the team, the team beat Senegal 2-0, in front of 58,657 people at the Emirates Stadium, in London.
The three goals conceded in the second half against the Japanese had an immediate impact on Carlo Ancelotti’s choices for the friendly against the African squad. The 3-2-5 formation used in previous matches gave way to a more conservative formation, with Éder Militão deployed for the first time as right-back, in a 4-2-4 formation.
A cause for concern for the coach, the Brazilian defense had only conceded one goal under his command until the stumble against Japan — in the 1-0 defeat to Bolivia, in the Qualifiers.
The change was also evident in the attack. The quartet formed by Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha and Estêvão worked well. Everyone threatened the Senegalese defense, and the Chelsea youngster was responsible for opening the scoring.
In the 27th minute, Casemiro tried to pass to Bruno Guimarães at the edge of the area. After a deflection in the defense, the ball fell to Estêvão, who finished first, with a shot, to make it 1-0.
Less than ten minutes later, at 35, Casemiro looked good again. After a free kick from Rodrygo, the midfielder calmly dominated the area and finished ready to extend.
Senegal exerted pressure at the end of the first half, but Brazil managed to go into the break with the advantage built.
Back in the second half, the Senegalese began to occupy more of the offensive sector and almost conceded after Ederson’s mistake. Iliman Ndiaye, however, wasted the chance to reduce the score after six minutes.
Despite the scare, Ancelotti remained calm on the edge of the pitch. Until the 18th minute, his only change had been forced by the injury to Gabriel Magalhães, replaced by Wesley. The coach took advantage of the stoppage to also save Matheus Cunha and put João Pedro on the field.
With more specific changes, the coach also avoided disfiguring the team and allowing the opponent to react, as happened in the previous match.
However, the final stage lacked the precision that Brazil had in the opening 4 minutes. Although he created good chances, especially on counterattacks, he was unable to extend the score. At least, he also did not allow any reaction from Senegal and held on to victory.
It was the Brazilian team’s second clash against the Senegalese this cycle. In June 2023, still with Ramon Menezes as interim, Brazil was defeated 4-2 at the José Alvalade stadium, in Lisbon, with a concert by Sadio Mané.
This Saturday’s clash was the third in history between the countries, and the first with a Brazilian victory after a draw and Senegalese victory in the previous meeting. Now, only Norway can boast the feat of never having lost a duel with Brazil. In four games, they won two and drew two.
Before closing the 2025 calendar, the squad led by Carlo Ancelotti returns to the field on Tuesday (18), for a friendly against Tunisia, at 4:30 pm (Brasília time).
Then, Brazil returns to the field in March 2026, on the last FIFA Date before the call for the World Cup, when it will face France and Croatia, who this week guaranteed their place in the competition that will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Brazil 2 x 0 Senegal (Friendly)
Local: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Arbitrator: Jarred Gillet (ING)
Yellow cards: Casemi (BRAs); Country, Antoine Mendy and Idrissa Wake.
Goals: Estêvão, at 26, and Casemiro, at 34, in the first half
Brazil: Ederson, Militão, Marquinhos, Magalhães (Wesley) and Alex Sandro (Fabrício Bruno); Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães (João Pedro); Rodrygo (Paquetá), Vini Jr. (Caio Henrique), Matheus Cunha and Estêvão (Luiz Henrique). Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
Senegal: The Mundy; Antoine Menddy, Niakhate, Kuilibalye to Jaboks; Idrisssa Gueye beside Gueye; Pape Sarr (Nicolas Jackson), Iliman Ndiaye (Cheikh Sabaly) e Ismaila Sar (Cerif Ndiaye); me.
Technical: Pope Thiaw.
