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Brazil's World Cup opener ends in frustrating draw
14 Jun
Summary
- Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their World Cup opener.
- Vinicius Junior scored Brazil's equalizer in the first half.
- Brazil's offense struggled to convert chances into a winning goal.
Brazil commenced their 2026 World Cup journey with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium. The Seleção faced an early challenge, conceding a goal in the 21st minute to Ismael Saibari, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Alisson. This strike seemed to awaken Brazil, as Vinicius Junior responded eleven minutes later with a decisive right-footed shot to level the score.
Despite dominating possession and creating more opportunities in the second half, Brazil could not find a winning goal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti's squad struggled with finishing, even with ten minutes of added stoppage time. The draw leaves Brazil with a single point in Group C.
Vinicius Junior, a focal point of pre-tournament discussions due to his previous national team form, proved crucial. He delivered a moment of magic to secure the draw, though he also faced defensive pressure from Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. However, Brazil's success hinges on more than just his individual brilliance.
Concerns remain about supporting cast production. Lucas Paquetá and Igor Thiago received low ratings, with Paquetá struggling with turnovers and Thiago missing an early scoring chance. For Brazil to advance deep into the tournament, other players must step up alongside Vinicius Junior.
