Estevão and Casemiro score as Senegal suffer 2-0 defeat to Brazil

Senegal fell 2-0 to Brazil in Saturday’s international friendly at the Emirates Stadium, undone by a pair of first-half strikes from the South Americans.

Brazil fielded a star-studded side led by captain Casemiro, with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha and emerging talent Estevão all starting. Senegal, meanwhile, handed a place in the line-up to Nicolas Jackson.

Cunha threatened early, grazing the post with a sharp effort inside six minutes after connecting with a neat first-time pass from Bruno Guimarães. Ten minutes later, he was inches away again, this time seeing a header clip the top of the woodwork.

Senegal’s resistance eventually broke on 30 minutes. Estevão found himself in space and drilled a precise angled finish into the far corner to put Brazil ahead. Casemiro then doubled the advantage shortly before the break, reacting well at the far post to turn in Rodrygo’s free-kick.

Idrissa Gana Gueye nearly halved the deficit after a goalmouth scramble, only for a Brazil defender to clear his close-range strike off the line. Moments later, Jackson — currently on loan at Bayern Munich — was introduced after Pape Matar Sarr picked up an injury.

Senegal showed greater urgency after the interval. Iliman Ndiaye rattled the upright following a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Ederson, while Brazil pushed for a third through Rodrygo, whose curling effort drifted narrowly wide.

Despite late pressure from both sides, Brazil held firm to close out a confident win, leaving the Teranga Lions to regroup ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations. They will face Benin, Botswana and DR Congo in Group D as they chase continental glory.