Brazil beat Senegal 2-0 in feisty friendly at the Emirates

LONDON :First-half goals from Estevao and Casemiro secured a 2-0 victory for Brazil over Senegal in a fiery friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The win marked the five-time World Cup champions’ maiden triumph against their African opponents and Carlo Ancelotti’s fourth victory in seven matches as Brazil coach.

The match was anything but a typical friendly, with several rough challenges and a couple of near skirmishes in a spiky encounter in London.

The South American giants were quick out of the blocks, with Matheus Cunha hitting the woodwork twice in the opening stages as the match began at a frenetic pace.

Brazil created several chances with a fluid four-man offensive front with Vinicius Jr playing as a striker and Estevao and Rodrygo running the channels while Cunha took the playmaker duty as an attacking midfielder.

At the back, Ancelotti made a defensive shake-up, starting centreback Eder Militao as a right back as the coach continues to search for reliable full-backs.

The result was remarkably positive, with the 27-year-old Real Madrid defender playing key roles in coverage and supporting the attack and connecting well with skilled teenager Estevao, who was a constant menace from the right.

Their breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Casemiro’s intended through-ball deflected off a Senegalese defender, falling perfectly into the path of Estevao, who arrived at lightning speed to clinically slot a left-footed shot inside the far post.

The lead was doubled in the 35th minute via a set-piece masterclass. Rodrygo delivered a pinpoint free kick to an unmarked Casemiro at the far post. The veteran midfielder controlled the ball expertly before curling home from close range, leaving keeper Edouard Mendy