Vinícius Júnior thwarts upset as Brazil draw 1-1 with Morocco in World Cup opener
A spectacular solo goal from Vinícius Júnior cancelled out Ismael Saibari's early lob as Brazil and Morocco shared the points in front of 80,000 fans at East Rutherford.
Moroccan pressure
Morocco started confidently in the Group C clash, exploiting Brazil's defensive gaps and sloppy build-up play. Brahim Díaz carved open the defence with a threaded pass and Ismael Saibari lifted the ball over Alisson with a composed lob in the 21st minute. The African side, a semi-finalist in 2022, were full value for their lead and had the partisan Brazilian crowd briefly silenced.
Vinícius answers
Carlo Ancelotti's side needed a moment of individual quality and Vinícius Júnior delivered it. The Real Madrid forward cut in from the left, set himself and hammered a fierce shot into the far corner in the 32nd minute. The equaliser, almost out of nothing, reignited the crowd and shifted the momentum before half-time. Lucas Paquetá nearly added a second with an overhead kick but Bono saved.
- Morocco score: Saibari lobs Alisson in the 21st minute.
- Brazil equalise: Vinícius Júnior drives into the corner in the 32nd minute.
- Igor Thiago forces a save from Bono in the 52nd minute.
- Raphinha misses narrowly from close range in the 67th minute.
- Final whistle: match ends 1-1.
Second-half stalemate
After the break Brazil were the steadier side. Igor Thiago forced a save from Bono in the 52nd minute and Raphinha miscued a low cross from five metres in the 67th. Morocco offered precious little going forward, and the match petered out as both teams prioritised avoiding a defeat. Brazil, record world champions, extended their unbeaten run in World Cup openers to 21 matches dating back to 1934.
Neymar watches on
Neymar, still hampered by injury and without an international cap since 2023, sat on the bench in a training shirt and a white cap. Former seleção icons Ronaldo, Kaká and Roberto Carlos were in the stands, and NFL legend Tom Brady was spotted in a Brazil jersey. FC Bayern Munich are reportedly tracking Saibari, who plays for PSV Eindhoven.
