Morocco make history with 11 foreign-born starters in 1-1 World Cup draw against Brazil
Morocco fielded a starting XI with 11 players born outside the country, a World Cup first, as they held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their Group C opener in New Jersey.
Historic lineup
Morocco became the first team in World Cup history to field 11 foreign-born players simultaneously. Ten starters were born abroad at kick-off, and after Azzedine Ounahi was replaced by Samir El Mourabet in the 65th minute, all eleven on the pitch had been born in five different countries across Europe and the Americas.
Our strength is in diversity. These players represent Morocco with pride, no matter where they were born. We are a global family.
I always dreamed of playing for Morocco. I always felt Moroccan, even though I was born abroad. Today we proved that roots go beyond geography.
Match action
Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead in the 21st minute, finishing a swift counter-attack after Brahim Diaz threaded a through ball. Vinicius Jr brought Brazil level eleven minutes later, cutting in from the left and curling a right-footed shot into the top corner. The five-time champions created more after the break but could not break down Morocco's low block.
- Kickoff at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (80,663 spectators)
- 21st minute: Saibari puts Morocco 1-0 up from Brahim Diaz through ball
- 32nd minute: Vinicius Jr curls equaliser into top corner
- 65th minute: Ounahi off for El Mourabet; all 11 Morocco players now foreign-born
- Full-time: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Ancelotti and the Endrick question
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged an imbalanced first half and said the team must improve. He came under sharp criticism for keeping 19-year-old forward Endrick on the bench for the full match. Endrick, on loan at Lyon, had five goals and seven assists in 16 appearances this season.
We did not play well: a very imbalanced team, we lost several balls and I think we have to do better in that sense.
Ancelotti declined to discuss individual players when asked about Endrick. Moroccan counterpart Mohamed Ouahbi said his squad were "disappointed" because they wanted to win, but he is now aiming for three points against Scotland.
Shooting streak ends
Morocco outshot Brazil 14-12, becoming the first team to outshoot the Seleção in a World Cup match since France did so in the 2006 quarter-finals. The result ended a run of 22 consecutive World Cup games in which Brazil had more attempts than their opponent, a streak that even survived the 7-1 defeat by Germany in 2014.
Group C outlook
Scotland marked their first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston, John McGinn scoring the goal. Brazil face Haiti next on Friday, while Morocco meet Scotland on 20 June with both teams chasing a first group-stage win.
