Brilliant goals from Casemiro and Estevao capped a rampant first half display from Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil side in a 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates. The Chelsea youngster opened the scoring with a curled effort, before the veteran midfielder doubled the lead with a delectable touch and finish. However, there was bad news for the Gunners in attendance, as Gabriel limped off on the hour.
The Selecao set a fierce pace to the proceedings in the opening moments at the Emirates, stifling the Senegalese side with a relentless press and lightning quick transitions. Edouard Mendy's goal was under almost constant assault. Twice Bruno Guimaraes could have set up Matheus Cunha, with the Manchester United man's shot clipping the outside of the post, while his headed effort cannoned off the bar. The former Chelsea keeper was called into action to beat off a Casemiro header.
The buzzing attacking trio of Estevao, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo had the Senegal defenders in fits. Interchanging positions, linking up neatly and running with the ball at pace, a well fashioned chance for Rodrygo that was again rebuffed by Mendy was the warning shot. Moments later Estevao latched onto a Rodrygo through ball cutting in off the right, curling a left-footed finish past the hapless keeper in the 28th minute.
Brazil doubled their lead just eight minutes later. A training ground routine saw Casemiro peel off to the back post from a set piece. The Manchester United midfielder calmly controlled the ball, before side footing a lofted finish off the post and into the Senegal net. A lengthy VAR check did little to calm the party atmosphere in north London. Senegal did threaten a response towards the end of the half, with Ederson drawn into a save by Ismaila Sarr.
The ex-City keeper gave his teammates a fright at the start of the second period, lingering on the ball allowing substitute Nicolas Jackson to charge down his pass. The resulting effort on goal scraped the outside of the post. Moments later it was Mendy's turn to play the fool, giving the ball away to Vinicius who has denied by a brilliant sliding tackle by Kalidou Koulibaly.
Unable to maintain their punishing pace of the opening 15 minutes, Brazil were increasingly content to sit back, allowing their opponents more than their fair share of the ball. Arsenal's Gabriel picked up a knock in the 64th minute, departing the game after he intervened in a Senegalese attack.
That was the last major incident, with neither side able to fashion. a clear cut chance as the game's pace continued to drop. That will be of little concern to Ancelotti, who saw his side kick into gear after a poor qualification campaign and disappointing performances in recent friendlies. If Brazil can match that first half display, they will over the coming year, they will enter next summer's World Cup among the favourites.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from Emirates Stadium...