The Brazilian national team earned its first-ever win over Senegal with a 2–0 result at Emirates Stadium in London, a moment that carries clear weight in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup. Estêvão and Casemiro, both Premier League standouts, scored and delivered a victory the team had never achieved before. Brazil’s solid start set the tone for a friendly that felt more like a real test, and the team responded with control and confidence.
A performance that shifts the storyline and the tone of the preparation
Until now, Brazil had never beaten Senegal. In 2019, the match ended 1–1 in Singapore. In 2023, at Estádio José Alvalade, Brazil lost 4–2. That’s why the game in London carried a natural sense of curiosity about how the team would react against a strong, physical and steadily improving opponent. This time, Brazil imposed itself, created more chances and turned them into goals.
Estêvão, Chelsea’s young star, opened the scoring after finishing a well-worked attacking play and remains the top scorer of the Carlo Ancelotti era. The second goal came from Casemiro, who hit a clean shot after Rodrygo’s cross. After the match, the midfielder highlighted the strength of Brazil’s early performance and said the team had “a very good first half, almost perfect. Perfect first half.” He also talked about confidence and the team’s development, noting that “the evolution is happening, but we know what matters is the World Cup.”
A more organized team and clear signs of progress with Ancelotti
Casemiro also addressed set-piece work and explained that the specific training sessions made a difference in the friendly. According to him, “we’ve been working a lot on set pieces. Ancelotti is even a bit annoying about it, he gives us a lot of numbers. Set pieces can win games. It’s something we’ve been training and I’m glad it worked today.”
The win also leaves Norway as the only national team Brazil has never defeated, which adds historical weight to the moment. Overall, the friendly showed a more connected and steady group with visible signs of collective improvement. The performance suggests the team is beginning to absorb what’s being asked, matching Casemiro’s message about gradual progress. It doesn’t solve everything, but it points to a firmer path. London served as a reminder that Brazil is finding its rhythm and that there’s reason to view the cycle with less doubt and more optimism.