Brazil beat Senegal 2-0 in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed off their credentials for World Cup success next year.
Chelsea’s 18-year-old winger Estevao opened the scoring with a curling finish before Manchester United midfielder Casemiro added a well-taken second at a set-piece, as Brazil thrilled in the first half.
But their victory was marred by an injury to Arsenal defender Gabriel, who limped out of his home stadium with what appeared to be a right thigh problem.
For Senegal, it was a first defeat in two years and a reminder of the level they must reach at the World Cup next year.
Brazil vs Senegal live updates
- Brazil play host to Senegal in a friendly staged at the Emirates Stadium
- Brazil XI: Ederson; Marquinhos, Militao, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
- Senegal XI: Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, PM Sarr, Pape Gueye, I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane.
- GOAL! Brazil 1-0 Senegal (Estevao, 28 min)
- GOAL! Brazil 2-0 Senegal (Casemiro, 36 min)
- Gabriel limps off injured in blow to Arsenal (62 min)
Arsenal blow as Gabriel injured in friendly
18:39 , Lawrence OstlereHere is more on that Gabriel injury story:
Arsenal scare as Gabriel injured in Brazil friendly against Senegal at the Emirates
Summary
18:10 , Lawrence OstlereBrazil beat Senegal 2-0 in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed off their credentials for World Cup success next year.
Chelsea’s 18-year-old winger Estevao opened the scoring with a curling finish before Manchester United midfielder Casemiro added a well-taken second at a set-piece, as Brazil thrilled in the first half.
But their victory was marred by an injury to Arsenal defender Gabriel, who limped out of his home stadium with what appeared to be a right thigh problem.
Full-time: Brazil 2-0 Senegal
18:04 , Lawrence OstlereA fourth win for Carlo Ancelotti, inflicting a first defeat on Senegal in two years. Brazil were very impressive here, and on this evidence they will be real World Cup contenders, despite their troubled qualifying campaign.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
18:00 , Lawrence Ostlere89 min: Vinicius, who has been very good, is taken off for the final few minutes.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:57 , Lawrence Ostlere86 min: Neat play by Brazil as the ball is fed to Joao Pedro’s feet in the box, but the striker’s lay-off to a teammate is intercepted.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:54 , Lawrence Ostlere82 min: Chelsea’s Joao Pedro is now leading the Brazilian front line.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:50 , Lawrence Ostlere78 min: Ismaila Sarr drives forwards with the ball but can’t link with Jackson and the move breaks down. Both teams have struggled to create chances in the past 20 minutes or so.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:44 , Lawrence Ostlere72 min: Senegal are making a raft of changes, and that means the end of the night for Mane and Ndiaye, two of their most exciting attacking talents.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:37 , Lawrence Ostlere66 min: Senegal keep probing but Gueye’s latest effort is way off target.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal – Gabriel injured
17:35 , Lawrence Ostlere62 min: Another injury problem and this one is on the Brazil side: Gabriel is down with a right leg issue, and he’s having to be replaced.
He looks frustrated as he walks off the field – that is not a good sight for Arsenal fans in their own stadium, though the fact he is walking suggests it may not be too serious.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:29 , Lawrence Ostlere58 min: A bit of a lull, but Senegal are getting a little more of a foothold in the game, certainly compared to a torrid first half.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:25 , Lawrence Ostlere54 min: A similar moment at the other end as keeper Mendy gives away the ball and Vinicius should score, but Koulibaly slides in to prevent a certain goal. Great challenge.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:24 , Lawrence Ostlere52 min: A big chance for Senegal as Jackson closes down Ederson lingering on the ball and it almost leads to a goal, but the resultant shot hits the outside of the post.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:19 , Lawrence Ostlere48 min: Pape Matar Sarr is immediately injured at the start of the second half and he is replaced by Nicolas Jackson. That’s not good news for Tottenham.
It looks like Sadio Mane might drop deeper as Jackson goes up top.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:17 , Lawrence Ostlere46 min: No changes at the break.
Half-time: Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:14 , Lawrence OstlereThe players are back out on the pitch at the Emirates...
Half-time: Brazil 2-0 Senegal
17:04 , Lawrence OstlereHere are the goals (for those in the UK):
Estêvão opens the scoring for Brazil! 🇧🇷
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 15, 2025
The 18-year-old Chelsea star fires it past Mendy to give his country the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Zwi0WB43fr
Casemiro doubles Brazil's lead 🇧🇷
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 15, 2025
His first goal for his nation since 2023 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DS6ag3VReq
Half-time: Brazil 2-0 Senegal
16:58 , Lawrence OstlereThere’s the half-time whistle. It’s been an entertaining and feisty first 45 minutes, and Brazil have been excellent. On this evidence, I’d quite like them in the office sweepstake next summer.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
16:57 , Lawrence Ostlere45+3 min: More handbags between the two sets of players – this game really has an edge to it. Senegal will finish the half with an attacking free-kick, which Sadio Mane is standing over... but his shot hits the wall.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
16:54 , Lawrence Ostlere45 min: Senegal are finishing the half with a flourish, and Ismaila Sarr forces a good save from Ederson. They want a penalty claiming handball from a defender’s block, but VAR says no.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
16:52 , Lawrence Ostlere42 min: Cunha goes on a mesmerising run into the box and Estevao would have surely turned in his cross had it not been for an excellent last-ditch intervention by a defender in green.
Brazil 2-0 Senegal
16:49 , Lawrence Ostlere39 min: Koulibaly was angry about something in the aftermath of that goal and had to be calmed down by both teammates and opponents. Senegal are frustrated so far.
GOAL! Brazil 2-0 Senegal (Casemiro, 36 min)
16:46 , Lawrence OstlereAnother! A free-kick delivered towards the back post finds Casemiro escaping free from the rabble, and the midfielder takes a good touch before guiding the ball past Mendy into the far corner.
There is a long VAR check, presumably for offside, before the goal is eventually given.
Brazil 1-0 Senegal
16:43 , Lawrence OstlereThe only goal so far:
Brazil 1-0 Senegal
16:41 , Lawrence Ostlere32 min: Senegal are suffering under Brazil’s high press and just the sheer speed at which the Brazilians are playing the game.
GOAL! Brazil 1-0 Senegal (Estevao, 28 min)
16:37 , Lawrence OstlereIt had been coming. Estevao arrives in the box on the right side and bends a first-time shot past Mendy to put Brazil in front! Wonderful finish.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:36 , Lawrence Ostlere26 min: Rodrygo cuts inside from the left wing before firing a low effort which Mendy does well to get across and gather. The goalkeeper has had plenty to do but he’s done well so far.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:33 , Lawrence Ostlere23 min: Estevao dribbles in from the right side before snapping a pass way over Vinicius’s head and off the pitch. The 18-year-old has started well, other than that misjudgement, and certainly looks confident on the ball.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:31 , Lawrence Ostlere21 min: ... But Militao heads the delivery clear, before Brazil win a free-kick.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:30 , Lawrence Ostlere20 min: Ismaila Sarr earns a corner and this a rare sniff in the box for Senegal...
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:26 , Lawrence Ostlere16 min: Lovely fast-flowing move by the Brazilians and Bruno chips a cross into the box where Cunha powers a header on to the bar! That’s twice he has hit the woodwork.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:20 , Lawrence Ostlere12 min: The game has settled a little after a frantic opening, and this calmer pace perhaps suits Senegal a little bit more – they were struggling with Brazil’s tempo.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:17 , Lawrence Ostlere8 min: It’s all Brazil so far, and Casemiro is another to test Mendy with a header from a free-kick. Senegal riding out a storm right now.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:13 , Lawrence Ostlere6 min: Post! Brazil break quickly and Bruno lays it back for Cunha arriving in the box, whose shot hits the foot of the post and bounces wide.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:11 , Lawrence Ostlere5 min: Ismaila Sarr lets fly with a volley from the edge of the box which bounces wide.
Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:10 , Lawrence Ostlere2 min: An early touch for Brazil goalkeeper Ederson and it’s a bad one, booting the ball of the pitch. But Brazil go up the other end and carve out a chance with Vinicius, who shifts the ball out of his feet before firing a low shot which is well saved by Mendy.
Kick-off! Brazil 0-0 Senegal
16:08 , Lawrence OstlereA touch later than planned, but now we’re off. This should be a fun one.
Brazil v Senegal – live
16:02 , Lawrence OstlereThe anthems! Senegal first, and an enthusiastic young mascot strikes a pose for the cameras. He’s not taking this friendly seriously.
Brazil v Senegal – live
15:57 , Lawrence OstlereThe players are in the tunnel. A reminder of the two line-ups this afternoon:
Brazil XI: Ederson; Marquinhos, Militao, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
Senegal XI: Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, PM Sarr, Pape Gueye, I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane.
Militao set to start at right-back
15:50 , Lawrence Ostlere"Militao has a different profile from other right-backs. I'm going to ask for something different in terms of quality and style of play," Ancelotti added.
"It's an option we can use in the World Cup to give the team more solidity at the back, but we conceded three goals against Japan, we've assessed our mistakes and we'll try to improve in that area to play a good game."
Ancelotti determined to build defensive stability
15:48 , Lawrence OstlereCarlo Ancelotti may still be wrestling with Portuguese but the Italian is increasingly comfortable in his role as Brazil coach as he fields an experimental defensive line-up at the Emirates.
The 3-2 defeat by Japan last month served as a wake-up call for Ancelotti, whose side prior to the Japanese fight-back in Tokyo had conceded one goal in his first five matches.
That defensive collapse when leading 2-0 at halftime has prompted tactical soul-searching, with Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao set to start at right-back against Senegal as the coach continues to search for reliable full-backs.
"The defence was a key part in Brazil's last (World Cup) victories," Ancelotti said, drawing inspiration from the country's 1994 and 2002 World Cup triumphs.
"(A) team with fantastic individuality, who enjoyed the game but knew how not to get exposed ... I remember 1994, a team with two defensive midfielders, very tight at the back and with Bebeto and Romario (up front) to make the difference.
"That's what I think for the World Cup. A solid defence helps quality players make the difference.”
Brazil v Senegal
15:34 , Lawrence OstlereSome pictures from the Emirates Stadium as fans arrive...
Senegal: Confirmed line-ups
15:14 , Lawrence OstlereSenegal XI: Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Mendy, Jakobs, Gana Gueye, PM Sarr, Pape Gueye, I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane.
Brazil: Confirmed line-up
14:59 , Lawrence OstlereBrazil XI: Ederson; Marquinhos, Militao, Gabriel, Sandro; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
BRASIL DEFINIDO! 🇧🇷
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) November 15, 2025
Confira os 11 nomes escalados pelo Mister para enfrentar o Senegal neste sábado (15), às 13h (Brasília).
📺 TV GLOBO
🏟️ Emirates Stadium
VAMOS JUNTOS, VAMOS BRASIL! 🫵 pic.twitter.com/oY4gXrbzaq
Line-ups coming shortly
14:45 , Lawrence OstlereThe teams will be out very soon, with Vinicius Jr likely to lead the Brazilian attack, playing alongside plenty of Premier League stars including Matheus Cunha, Estevao, Casemiro and Gabriel.
Who can qualify for the World Cup this week?
14:35 , Luke BakerWorld Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the coming days.
So far, 30 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.
England, France and Croatia are the only European teams to have qualified so far but the other nine group winners will be gradually confirmed in the next few days as the first round of qualifying finally concludes.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Last time out: Brazil stunned by Japan
14:22 , Luke BakerIn Brazil’s most recent match, Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat the five-time world champions 3-2 in a friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium
It was a first-ever win for Japan over the South Americans in 14 meetings as both sides’s World Cup 2026 preparations continued.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, the hosts capitalised on Brazilian defensive errors before Ayase Ueda's late header sealed a famous victory to give Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti plenty to ponder.
Takumi Minamino halved the deficit in the 52nd minute after Fabricio Bruno's misplaced pass allowed the forward to score from just inside the box. Nine minutes later, Bruno’s dismal night worsened as he sliced an attempted clearance into his own net to level the match.
With the home crowd in full voice, Japan pressed for a winner. Substitute Junya Ito provided the decisive moment, delivering a pinpoint corner in the 71st minute which Ueda met with a powerful header after beating defender Lucas Beraldo to the ball.
Vinicius apologises to Real Madrid fans for controversial reaction to El Clasico sub
14:09 , Luke BakerThings haven’t been straightforward for Brazil star Vinicius Jr recently.
Last month, the superstar issued a public apology to Real Madrid fans following his angry reaction to being substituted in El Clasico win over Barcelona.
Vinicius stormed straight down the tunnel and appeared to have words for his manager Xabi Alonso after being brought off in the 71st minute.
And while the 25-year-old said in his statement that he had apologised to his Madrid team-mates and club president Florentino Perez, there was no mention of Alonso.
Vinicius apologises to Real Madrid fans for controversial reaction to El Clasico sub
Early Senegal team news
13:59 , Luke BakerFor Senegal, Krepin Diatta is similarly sidelined with injury but Como attacker Assane Diao is back in the fold after missing the previous international break with a fitness problem.
Sadio Mane will hope to replicate his heroics from their previous meeting, while the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr will also provide attacking threat.
Predicted Senegal XI: E. Mendy; A. Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; P. Sarr, Gueye; I. Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson
Early Brazil team news
13:53 , Luke BakerArsenal centre-back Gabriel has been named in the Brazil squad and is in line to feature on familiar ground.
His club teammate Gabriel Martinelli is among the notable absentees from the squad, along with Raphinha, Joelinton and Savinho.
Goalkeeper Hugo Souza is also out, withdrawing due to injury. Vinicius Jr will likely operate down the middle, as preferred by Carlo Ancelotti.
Predicted Brazil XI: Ederson; Wesley, Militao, Gabriel, C. Henrique; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Cunha, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
How to watch Brazil v Senegal for free
13:48 , Luke BakerBrazil play Senegal at the Emirates Stadium in north London this afternoon, with kick-off at 4pm GMT.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on ITV4 or stream it on ITVX, with coverage starting at 3:45pm GMT.
Everything you need to know about Brazil v Senegal
13:45 , Luke BakerBrazil take on Senegal in the first of a double-header of international friendlies for the five-time world champions.
The Selecao had a stop-start qualifying campaign but have already secured a berth at next summer’s World Cup courtesy of a win over Paraguay in June, while five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal beat Mauritania in the African qualifiers to seal their spot.
The two sides meet at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium two years on from their last meeting, when Senegal won thanks to a brace by Sadio Mane.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is Brazil v Senegal on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch for free
Brazil v Senegal
13:36 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of Brazil v Senegal.
Two teams that have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup are fine-tuning preparations with an intriguing inter-continental friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
