Vinicius Junior celebrates a goal in the first half during the World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Morocco on Jun 13, 2026. (Photo: AP/Adam Hunger)

Sloppy Brazil held by Morocco 1-1 in their World Cup opener

Brazil remain unbeaten in World Cup openers since 1934, but they struggled to break down Morocco's low block.

14 Jun 2026, 00:17 · CNA · Join

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EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey: Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday (Jun 13) as the five-time World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the tournament in New Jersey.

Morocco made the brighter start and took the lead in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari finished a swift counter-attack, racing through the middle to convert Brahim Diaz's through ball.

Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but this performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at MetLife Stadium.

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The Selecao have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti a bid to end the country's title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football's biggest tournament.

A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad capable of competing with anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.

He was without Neymar for the start of the competition, with Brazil's all-time record goalscorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his players not to fear Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate as the 2022 semi-finalists started brightly in one of the standout matches of the first round.

After Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazil goal, Saibari made the breakthrough when he latched onto a fine pass from Diaz.

The PSV Eindhoven forward raced beyond Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, holding his nerve with a clincal chipped finish over the advancing Alisson Becker.

Brazil drew level 11 minutes later through Vinicius, who will have a vital role to play if his side are to shine this summer.

The Real Madrid star received the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the area before cutting back onto his right foot and hammering into the far corner past Yassine Bounou.

It belatedly breathed life into a lacklustre Brazil and Lucas Paqueta saw his acrobatic effort pushed away by Bounou before half-time.

Brazil improved after the interval following several substitutions by Ancelotti, pressing higher and enjoying more possession. However, they struggled to break down Morocco's low block.

Bounou saved well from Igor Thiago as Brazil caught Morocco napping with a quick throw-in after the break, while Raphinha and Danilo shot right at Bounou as the Selecao pressed for a winner.

Morocco nearly snatched it at the death when Alisson parried a long-range effort from El Aynaoui and had to react sharply to block the follow-up from Ayoube Amaimouni.

"I don't think we started the match well, the team was a bit nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn’t good," said Ancelotti, who noted Brazil improved after the break.

"It improved in the second half; it's a tough match because Morocco are a good side. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they were breaking out of our press and making dangerous counter-attacks."

"The first game is always very difficult, but we need to get better," admitted Vinicius.

"We need to do less talking and work harder because the next game will come around fast."

Brazil remain unbeaten in World Cup openers since 1934. They next face outsiders Haiti while Morocco take on Scotland in their second match.

Sloppy Brazil held by Morocco 1-1 in their World Cup opener

Brazil remain unbeaten in World Cup openers since 1934, but they struggled to break down Morocco's low block.

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