Brazil commenced their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Morocco in New Jersey, as Vinicius Junior provided a crucial equaliser to spare the five-time champions an opening defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure as Brazil’s first ever foreign manager at a World Cup began in an uncertain fashion. The South American giants, pursuing a record sixth global crown 24 years after their last triumph, had to recover from an early setback in this highly anticipated Group C fixture at the MetLife Stadium.
Morocco, who famously reached the semi-finals in 2022, demonstrated precisely why they remain a formidable force on the global stage. Under the instruction of manager Mohamed Ouahbi, the North African side played without fear and rightly took the lead after 21 minutes.
A perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Diaz allowed PSV Eindhoven forward Ismael Saibari to break past defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos. Displaying remarkable composure, Saibari calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing Alisson Becker to open the scoring.
However, the Brazilian response was swift. Just 11 minutes later, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior—upon whom much of the nation’s hopes rest this summer—levelled the proceedings with a moment of individual brilliance. Collecting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left flank, he cut inside onto his favoured right foot and dispatched a powerful strike past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the far corner.
The fixture held significant weight for a Brazil squad under immense pressure. Watched from the stands by 2002 World Cup winners Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Kaka, the current crop of players are desperate to end a lengthy trophy drought. This urgency follows a disappointing fifth-place finish in their South American qualifying campaign.
Furthermore, Ancelotti is navigating the early stages of this expanded 48-team tournament without his all-time leading goalscorer. Neymar remains sidelined with a calf injury, having not made an international appearance since 2023.
Following Vinicius’s superb equaliser, Brazil briefly found their rhythm. Lucas Paqueta forced an acrobatic save from Bounou shortly before the interval to keep the scoreline level.
In the second half, the Moroccan keeper was again called into action, denying Igor Thiago after a cleverly taken quick throw-in caught the North African defence napping. Bounou also comfortably handled further efforts from Raphinha and Danilo as the Selecao pressed tirelessly for a winner.
Despite Brazil’s second-half dominance, Morocco nearly took all three points in the closing moments. Alisson was forced to parry a venomous long-range strike from Neil El Aynaoui before demonstrating exceptional reflexes to block Ayoube Amaimouni’s immediate follow-up.
The result ensures Brazil’s remarkable record of remaining unbeaten in World Cup opening fixtures since 1934 stays intact. Ancelotti’s men will look to secure their first victory of the tournament against Haiti in their next outing, while Morocco prepare to face Scotland.
