Vinicius Junior rescues Brazil in 1-1 World Cup opener as Morocco expose midfield and fullback gaps

Morocco's blistering start

An 80,663 crowd in East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw the African champions dominate the first half-hour. Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute, chipping Alisson after a through ball by Brahim Diaz split Brazil's centre-backs. The move began when Roger Ibanez and Lucas Paqueta lost possession on Brazil's right, a flank Morocco repeatedly exploited.

“It was a good match, it's a point. We would've hoped to have more but we'll take the point.”

Vinicius answers

Brazil equalised 11 minutes later. Vinicius Junior, fed by Bruno Guimaraes on the left, cut inside and rifled a right-footed shot past Yassine Bounou, scoring his 10th international goal. It was Brazil's first effort on target, a flash of individual quality that masked a disjointed team performance.

“We started on a really bad note. We conceded that first goal. After that it's really hard to get going.”

Ancelotti's halftime overhaul

Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's first foreign World Cup coach, replaced Ibanez and the struggling Casemiro with Danilo and Fabinho at the interval. The switch steadied Brazil, who controlled long spells after the break but could not find a winner. Bounou denied a Lucas Paqueta volley late in the first half and an Igor Thiago drive early in the second. Morocco's best late chance fell to Ayoube Amaimouni in stoppage time, but Alisson gathered.

Cracks beneath the glamour

Brazil's squad composition drew scrutiny. Ancelotti selected only five midfielders and one specialist right-back, Wesley, who was injured pre-tournament. Instead of a like-for-like replacement, he called up an extra midfielder, leaving centre-back Ibanez to deputise. The experiment failed, and Casemiro's loss of form added to the concern. Alan Shearer called Brazil's showing "ragged", and South American football expert Tim Vickery said the team was saved by a star rather than the system.

“I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. The team was a bit anxious and nerves were all over the place. You don't win a World Cup based on your first match.”

What comes next

Brazil face Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday, then close Group C against Scotland in Miami Gardens. Morocco play Scotland in Foxborough the same day before meeting Haiti in Atlanta. Neymar, still recovering from a torn right calf, did not dress for the opener and his return timeline remains unclear. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said the team was proud of the performance and focused on improving game by game.