Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium sees five-time world champions Brazil take on African giants Senegal in a high-profile international friendly. The last time these two met was in June 2023, and Senegal stunned the world with a 4–2 win in Lisbon. Brazil arrives in London at a mixed moment. Carlo Ancelotti has managed 6 games since taking charge, recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 defeats. His side scored 11 goals and kept 4 clean sheets across those matches. Brazil also extended their incredible World Cup qualifying streak in June with a 1–0 win over Paraguay, but their overall qualifying campaign was shaky. They finished 5th in South America, with 8 wins, 4 draws, and 6 defeats, ending on a surprise 1–0 loss to Bolivia.

Ranked 7th in the world, Brazil followed that with a strange trip to Asia last month. A dominant 5–0 win over South Korea was followed by a 3–2 loss to Japan after blowing a two-goal lead. Ancelotti has pushed Vinicius Jr into a central attacking role, and he may continue there. Neymar is still absent, and big names like Raphinha, Martinelli, Savinho, and Beraldo were not called up. Eighteen-year-old Estevao continues to impress and is expected to feature. Senegal, meanwhile, qualified for the 2026 World Cup in style. A 4–0 win over Mauritania sealed the top spot in Group B, finishing with 7 wins, 3 draws, 22 goals scored, and only 3 conceded. Pape Thiaw has been excellent since taking over in 2024. 10 wins, 2 draws, no panic. His team are ranked 18th in the world and comes into this game after 4 straight wins with a combined score of 14–2.

There are changes. Krepin Diatta is injured, while Nampalys Mendy, Mbow, and Nisse were left out. Assane Diao returns, Rassoul Ndiaye is back after 18 months, and teenagers Mamadou Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye both get their first call-ups. Sadio Mane scored twice against Brazil in 2023 and is expected to start again. Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Ismaila Sarr offer pace and power in attack. For football lovers, this is going to be a cracker of a game!

🔹 Vinicius Jr – Playing as a central striker under Ancelotti 

🔹 Sadio Mane – Scored twice vs Brazil in 2023 

🔹 Paqueta – Key link between midfield and attack 

🔹 Nicolas Jackson – Direct, aggressive, always a threat 

🔹 Ismaila Sarr – Pace that will test Brazil’s full-backs

💵 Brazil to win: 1.38 
💵 Draw: 4.80 
💵 Senegal to win: 7.40 
💵 Over 2.5 Goals: 1.69

Brazil will control the ball, but Senegal brings structure, pace, and belief. This could be a tight fight decided by a moment of brilliance on either side.