Brazil will lock horns with Senegal for their international friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night.

The Emirates Stadium in London will host a thrilling international friendly on Saturday afternoon, as five-time world champions Brazil face off against African heavyweights Senegal in what promises to be a showcase of flair, athleticism, and tactical intelligence.

These two nations last met in June 2023, when Senegal stunned the Selecao with a 4-2 victory in Lisbon, marking their first-ever win against Brazil. This time, however, Carlo Ancelotti will be determined to ensure history does not repeat itself as he continues to refine his Brazil side ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Since taking charge in May, Carlo Ancelotti has overseen six games with a mixed record, three wins, one draw, and two defeats. Brazil have scored 11 goals and kept four clean sheets in that span, showing both attacking prowess and defensive organisation in phases.

Their World Cup qualifying campaign was far from flawless, finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL standings with eight wins and four draws from 20 matches. Despite a shock 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in their final qualifier, Brazil comfortably secured their record-extending 23rd consecutive World Cup appearance.

In their last international window, Brazil demonstrated both their potential and vulnerability. They demolished South Korea 5-0, only to surrender a 2-0 half-time lead against Japan, eventually losing 3-2. That inconsistency remains a concern for Ancelotti, whose immediate task is to restore psychological resilience and sharpen the team’s finishing edge.

With an array of attacking stars of the present and future, including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Endrick, Brazil remain a formidable force on paper. But Ancelotti’s challenge is moulding that talent into a cohesive unit capable of sustaining intensity against the world’s best.

On the other side, Pape Thiaw’s Senegal arrive in London in resplendent form ahead of the game against Brazil. Fresh from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 4-0 win over Mauritania, the Lions of Teranga have won seven of their ten qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding only three.

Thiaw’s managerial record speaks volumes, ten wins and two draws from 12 matches since taking over in December 2024, an 83.3 per cent success rate that reflects both his tactical discipline and the squad’s depth. With world-class talents such as Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Nicolas Jackson, Senegal have evolved into one of the most balanced African sides ever assembled.

Ranked 18th in the world, Senegal are riding a four-match winning streak with a combined 14-2 goal differential. Their previous victory on English soil, a 3-1 win over England at the City Ground in June, underlines their belief and growing fearlessness against elite opposition.

This fixture also serves as vital preparation for AFCON 2025, where Senegal will face DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana in the group stage later this year. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Brazil

Brazil arrive for this marquee friendly with several notable absences, including a handful of high-profile omissions made by Carlo Ancelotti for tactical and developmental reasons. The biggest talking point remains the continued absence of Neymar, who has not played for the national team in over two years.

Despite recovering from his recent injury woes, the 33-year-old attacker has been deliberately left out of the current squad as Ancelotti seeks to remodel the team’s forward dynamics. Injury-wise, Hugo Souza has been forced to withdraw from the squad, reducing Brazil’s goalkeeping options for the window.

Meanwhile, several established internationals, Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli, Savinho, Joelinton, Joao Gomes, and Lucas Beraldo, have been left out entirely due to fitness issues or technical decisions. Ancelotti has opted instead for a blend of proven experience and fast-developing talent as he prepares his side for the 2026 World Cup cycle.

A major tactical storyline comes from Ancelotti’s plans to deploy Vinicius Junior as a central striker rather than his traditional role on the left wing. The Real Madrid star was trialled through the middle in the defeat to Japan and may continue to spearhead the attack on Saturday.

Competing with him for the No. 9 role are three Premier League forwards, Joao Pedro, Richarlison, and Matheus Cunha, each offering a different attacking profile. Despite this depth, Vinicius appears to have the trust of Ancelotti to lead the line.

Another intriguing inclusion is Estevao, Chelsea’s young prodigy, who already has three goals in nine senior Brazil appearances. While he may not start, the youngster’s explosiveness makes him a strong candidate for an appearance off the bench.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to set Brazil up in a 4-2-3-1, built around balance in midfield and pace in the wide areas. Ederson Moraes should start in goal. The back four may consist of Wesley Franca at right-back, Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes as the centre-back pairing, and Caio Henrique occupying the left-back slot.

A double pivot of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes offers defensive stability and progression from deep. Ahead of them, the attacking midfield trio will likely feature Estevao on the right, Lucas Paqueta centrally as the creator, and Rodrygo on the left, though all three have freedom to rotate positions during possession.

Leading the line, Vinicius Junior is expected to start as the central striker, using his acceleration and movement to drag Senegal’s defence out of shape.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Henrique; Casemiro, Guimaraes; Estevao, Paqueta, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr

Senegal

Senegal enter this glamour friendly with several changes to their squad, driven by both injury and tactical reshuffling from head coach Pape Thiaw. The major confirmed absentee is Krepin Diatta, who has been ruled out through injury and will not feature this weekend.

In addition, Nampalys Mendy, Moustapha Mbow, and Cheikh Niasse, all part of last month’s squad, have been omitted for this window, with Thiaw opting to refresh his options in midfield and defence.

There is positive news in attack, where Assane Diao returns after missing the previous international break through injury. The Como forward’s recall strengthens Senegal’s wide options. Another notable inclusion is Rassoul Ndiaye, who earns his first senior call-up in 18 months; the Le Havre midfielder is in contention for only his second cap.

Two exciting new faces also enter the Senegalese camp. Mamadou Sarr, the Strasbourg defender on loan from Chelsea, receives his first senior call-up and may make his debut if selected. Alongside him is Ibrahim Mbaye, Paris Saint-Germain’s highly rated 17-year-old winger, who could also earn his first cap. These selections highlight Thiaw’s willingness to blood emerging talent ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

In attack, all eyes will be on Sadio Mane, who scored twice in Senegal’s memorable 4-2 victory over Brazil in 2023. The Al-Nassr star is expected to lead the forward line once more. Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Ismaila Sarr also provide strong competition for the starting roles in the front four, giving Senegal versatility and pace in transition.

Senegal are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1, a shape that allows them to remain compact in midfield while exploiting their attacking speed on the counter. Edouard Mendy should start in goal. The defensive line is expected to include Antoine Mendy at right-back, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhate forming a powerful centre-back pairing, and El Hadji Malick Diouf operating on the left side.

The double pivot is likely to feature Pape Matar Sarr and Idrissa Gueye, offering ball-winning ability and forward thrust from midfield. Ahead of them, the attacking trio should consist of Ismaila Sarr on the right wing, Iliman Ndiaye as the central playmaker, and Sadio Mane coming in from the left flank with licence to drift into central areas.

Leading the attack, Nicolas Jackson is expected to spearhead the frontline as the lone striker, using his movement and physicality to stretch Brazil’s defensive line.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Edouard Mendy; Antoine Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf; Pape Matar Sarr, Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson

Key Stats

• Brazil have never defeated Senegal in their history, failing to win either of their previous two meetings (D1 L1), including a 4-2 loss in their most recent encounter in June 2023.

• Senegal have scored four goals in each of their last two international matches, contributing to an impressive run of four straight wins with a combined scoreline of 14-2.

• Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have kept four clean sheets in six matches, highlighting a defensive improvement despite inconsistency in results.

• Senegal boast one of Africa’s strongest defences, having conceded only three goals in 10 World Cup qualifiers, the fewest in Group B.

• Brazil’s attack has been productive under Carlo Ancelotti, scoring 11 goals in six games, with at least two goals scored in four of those matches, though they have also lost twice during that run.

Player to Watch

Vinicius Junior

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All eyes will be on Vinicius Junior who often made a difference for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Traditionally electric on the left wing, the 25-year-old has been encouraged by Ancelotti to operate more centrally as a roaming forward, giving him greater license to influence transitions, attack spaces between the lines, and arrive in goal-scoring positions with more regularity.

This shift mirrors the trust placed in him at club level, and with Neymar absent and Brazil searching for a reliable attacking focal point, Vinicius Junior becomes the natural leader of the front line. His pace, unpredictability and ability to destabilise defensive blocks will be crucial against a physically imposing Senegal side that thrives on compactness and counter-punching.

After scoring and assisting freely during Brazil’s recent fixtures, he enters the match carrying both responsibility and confidence. If Brazil are to assert control in the final third, Vinicius Junior’s movement, explosiveness, and growing maturity in decision-making will likely be at the heart of it.

Prediction

Brazil 2-1 Senegal

Brazil enter this fixture with something to prove following a mixed run of results under Carlo Ancelotti, while Senegal arrive as one of the most in-form sides in Africa, boasting balance, physicality, and proven attacking threat. The Lions of Teranga will not fear Brazil, especially after their 4-2 win in 2023, and their disciplined defensive structure, combined with the speed of Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson, will create real problems for the Seleção in transition.

However, Brazil possess significantly more individual quality in midfield and the final third. With Vinicius Jr operating centrally and Lucas Paqueta linking play between the lines, they should generate enough chances to edge what is likely to be a tense, competitive contest. Senegal’s organisation will make them difficult to break down, but over 90 minutes, Brazil’s superior depth and creativity may tilt the balance.