Brazil and Morocco draw as Knicks cap rare New York sports night
Brazil and Morocco opened with a 1-1 World Cup draw before the Knicks beat the Spurs 94-90 to claim their first NBA title since 1973.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
A 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco at the 2026 World Cup fed into a broader night of sport across New Jersey and New York, according to Al Jazeera. Hours later, the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, securing their first championship since 1973.
The football match at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford drew more than 80,000 fans, Al Jazeera reported. The crowd saw two first-half goals and a late spell in which Morocco came close to taking all three points.
Morocco strike first, Brazil respond
Al Jazeera reported that Brazilian supporters made up the largest share of the crowd, with Morocco fans providing loud pockets of red inside the 82,000-capacity venue. The build-up began hours before kickoff, as fans arrived through Secaucus train station and moved toward the stadium with drums, tambourines and chants.
Supporters had paid a $98 return fare for the stadium trip from New York or New Jersey, a price Al Jazeera described as steep and widely criticised. Outside the venue, Brazil and Morocco fans sang, danced and posed for photographs before the match.
Brazil entered with strong backing from many in the stands. A Brazil supporter identified by Al Jazeera as Ricardo said before kickoff: “We are not worried about our team’s chances. We know they will win.”
Morocco fans were more cautious despite the team’s run at the 2022 World Cup, when Morocco became the first African and first Arab side to reach the semifinals. “I know a lot of fans are expecting us to sail through to the final after our team’s performance in 2022, but I think this team is weaker,” supporter Tareq Bouiber told Al Jazeera.
On the field, Morocco controlled early passages and went ahead in the 21st minute through Ismail Saibari, who lifted a shot into the net, Al Jazeera reported. The goal brought chants of “Viva Maghreb” from Morocco supporters.
Brazil answered 11 minutes later. Vinicius Jr found room in the Morocco penalty area and drove a shot into the top right corner to make it 1-1, according to Al Jazeera.
The second half produced fewer clear chances until stoppage time, when Morocco missed a close-range opportunity to win the match. Al Jazeera reported that Brazil fans appeared more frustrated at the final whistle, while Morocco supporters treated the result as further proof of their team’s potential.
“We will do one better than last time and make it to the final,” Sana Bourada, who travelled from Washington, DC, with her family, told Al Jazeera after the match.
Fans turn to the Knicks
After the World Cup match ended, many fans leaving the stadium shifted their attention to basketball, Al Jazeera reported. Chants of “Let’s go Knicks” replaced the football songs as supporters hurried to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The Knicks later defeated the Spurs 94-90 to close out the best-of-seven series, according to Al Jazeera. The win ended a championship wait dating to 1973.
Al Jazeera reported that celebrations after the Knicks victory spread across both states, with singing, dancing and fireworks following a night that began with Brazil and Morocco sharing points in East Rutherford.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.