Brazil squads of bygone years boarded their flights to the World Cup expecting to return with football’s most coveted prize.
How could they not? The triumphant team of 2002 boasted a fearsome frontline of Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo at the peak of his powers.
The eleven who brought the trophy back from the States in 1994 featured Cafu, Romario and a resurgent defence including Bayern Munich’s Jorginho.
And need I mention the squads of 1958, ’62 and ’70 spearheaded by a little-known forward who went by the name of Pele?
Yet Brazil head into next summer’s tournament in America, Canada and Mexico as few people’s favourites and without the World Cup trophy in some 24 years.
Placed seventh in the FIFA World Rankings, their side is one in transition, one trying to move forward without the injury-laden and fading Neymar Jr, who hasn’t made an international appearance in more than two years.
Carlo Ancelotti will lead Brazil to next summer’s World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico
Many have written the Brazilians off ahead of the tournament – but perhaps prematurely
The South Americans’ 2-0 victory today against Senegal at the Emirates proved they’re a top side at their best
But today’s dominant 2-0 victory against eighteenth-ranked Senegal in north London proved that the Brazilians, though not what they once were, are not to be written off.
An attacking four of Vinicius Jr, Estevao, Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha is enough to worry even the world’s best defences – and the quartet were at their fluid and breath-taking best in front of an Emirates Stadium which felt more akin to the Maracana.
Deployed in a 4-2-4 system, Ancelotti gives the maverick frontline licence to expend its energy where it matters most while Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes man the fort. When on-song, Vinicius and Co are nigh-on impossible to live with.
The signs were ominous for Senegal as early as the opening exchanges when Vinicius burst down the left-wing, beating two defenders, before forcing an impressive save out of Edouard Mendy. Cunha struck the crossbar just moments later with a header from close range.
But it was young Estevao, five or so miles from his Stamford Bridge stomping ground, that scored the game’s opener on 20 minutes with a curled effort on his left.
This was Ancelotti’s Brazil at their best. Gabriel and Marquinhos as a centre-half pairing looked formidable. Eder Militao performed more like his Real Madrid team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back than a centre-half out of position.
Senegal created barely a half-chance in the first 45 before Casemiro continued his stunning renaissance with another goal – a fine finish at the far post after latching onto a free-kick.
The football, certainly, hasn’t left the Brazil vice-captain just yet.
Brazil’s frontline is electric and eccentric – and spearheaded by Vinicius Jr
Young Estevao scored the game’s opener on 20 minutes with a curled left-footed effort
Amid his Man United slump under Erik ten Hag, Casemiro lost his place in the national team for almost a year.
However one of Ancelotti’s first acts as Brazil boss was to recall the former Galactico. The legendary Italian described the midfielder as his ‘most important’ player post-match today.
‘He [Casemiro] did really well,’ the Italian said.
‘The most important player for the balance of the team when we have the ball. He’s very intelligent tactically. He’s got lots of quality. Really important as a leader for the squad and really important player for us.’
His midfield partner Guimaraes isn’t bad either. The duo were all-encompassing at times today against an out-of-sorts Senegal side, though their lack of legs could admittedly be exploited by greater opposition.
But Ancelotti has options, and plenty of them. Sitting on the Emirates bench with their hoods up today were Premier League stars Richarlison, Lucas Paqueta, Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro. That’s without mentioning former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, who could be used to shore up the Brazilian midfield against the likes of France, Spain and England.
The second-half was a far more subdued affair than the first as Senegal huffed and puffed, largely through Sadio Mane, without result.
Both Pedro and Paqueta were introduced but had little impact, though it likely won’t worry Ancelotti after his side’s first-half display. 2-0 it deservedly finished.
Brazil have now kept clean sheets in five of the former Juventus, PSG and AC Milan boss’s six games in charge. The only goals they’ve conceded were in the freak second-half capitulation in Japan last month.
Casemiro later made it two with a side-footed strike into the top corner
The Brazilian has enjoyed quite the renaissance in recent months
When it clicks, as it did during today’s opening 45, Brazil have an ideal blend of eccentricity and sheer determination.
Gabriel, Marquinhos and Casemiro offer experience at the back while Estevao, Vinicius and Rodrygo provide flair and frightening speed on the break.
The 3-2 defeat in Tokyo from two up last month proves this Brazilian side is not yet the finished article, far from it.
However if Ancelotti gets it right, as he usually does, they’ll be a formidable force on American shores next summer.
