Brazil national football team were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their World Cup opener on Saturday, as Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of brilliance to cancel out an early strike from the North Africans in New Jersey.
Morocco national football team took a 21st-minute lead through Ismaïl Saibari, who finished clinically after being played through by Brahim Díaz, lifting a composed chipped effort over goalkeeper Alisson Becker after breaking beyond the Brazilian defence.
The five-time world champions, chasing a record sixth World Cup title, struggled to impose themselves early on and appeared under pressure against a confident Moroccan side that had reached the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament.
However, Vinícius restored parity 11 minutes after the opener, delivering a trademark finish from the edge of the box. The Real Madrid forward cut inside from the left before striking a powerful shot into the far corner beyond Yassine Bounou.
Despite the equaliser, Brazil’s performance remained below expectations, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side finding it difficult to control the game for long periods. The Italian coach, who is leading Brazil at a World Cup for the first time, has been tasked with ending the country’s 24-year wait for global glory.
Brazil legend Ronaldo, along with former stars Roberto Carlos and Kaká, were among those present at MetLife Stadium as they watched the underwhelming start to the campaign.
The match marked the beginning of a new era under Ancelotti, who took over after Brazil finished fifth in South American qualifying, underlining the scale of the rebuilding job ahead.
Brazil came closest to a winner through Lucas Paquetá, whose acrobatic effort was saved, while Igor Thiago and Raphinha also tested Morocco’s goalkeeper in a stronger second-half spell.
Morocco, however, remained dangerous on the break and nearly snatched victory late on, forcing Alisson into a sharp double save from long-range efforts.
Brazil have now gone unbeaten in World Cup opening matches since 1934, but will look to improve when they face Haiti in their next Group C fixture, while Morocco meet Scotland.
