Brazil held to 1-1 draw by Morocco in Ancelotti's World Cup debut

A crowd of 80,663, including former Brazil legends Ronaldo, Kaká and Roberto Carlos, and VIPs Zinedine Zidane, Tom Brady, Travis Scott, Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, saw the Seleção held in their Group G opener. Injured star Neymar watched from the bench.

Ancelotti's debut

Making his first appearance as a national team coach at a World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti faced a test the Italian had warned about the day before.

“Fear is an important part of life... because if you are not afraid and a lion appears, you might think it's a cat.”

His Brazil side started shakily. Morocco, appearing at their third tournament and coached by Mohammed Ouahbi, looked organised and aggressive from the whistle.

Morocco seize early control

The Atlas Lions had the first real chance through El Aynaoui, and then took the lead on 21 minutes. Brahim Diaz slipped a pass through the Brazil defence and Ismael Saibari lifted a delicate finish over the advancing Alisson.

Vinicius answers back

Brazil needed only ten minutes to respond. On his 50th international appearance, Vinicius Junior took a pass from Bruno Guimaraes at the edge of the area, skipped past a defender and fired past Bounu. Ancelotti celebrated on the touchline. Before the half ended, Paquetá forced a corner with a scissors kick that the Moroccan goalkeeper palmed away.

Ancelotti replaced two cautioned players, Roger Ibanez and Casemiro, at the break. After the restart Brazil grew more threatening, especially on the flanks, and the yellow-clad majority in the stands roared their encouragement, but Bounu held firm until full time.

A 24‑year burden

Brazil came into the tournament carrying the weight of a 24‑year gap since their last World Cup title in 2002. The late Hercules Brito, who died aged 86, was among the defenders from the fabled 1970 side; Brazilian media noted his passing as a reminder of past glories that current fans demand be matched.