Vinicius goal salvages Brazil draw with Morocco in World Cup opener
Vinicius Junior’s first-half equaliser gave Brazil a 1-1 draw after Morocco struck early in their Group C match in New Jersey.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Vinicius Junior rescued a point for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener in New Jersey, AFP reported. The result gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side an uneven start as Brazil began its push for a record sixth world title.
According to AFP, Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute before Vinicius levelled 11 minutes later with a sharp finish. The match was played at New York New Jersey Stadium, where former Brazil World Cup winners Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were among those watching, AFP reported.
Brazil entered the tournament 24 years after last winning the World Cup, AFP reported. The team has hired Ancelotti, a highly decorated club coach, to end that wait, making him the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament, according to AFP.
AFP reported that Brazil’s qualifying campaign showed the scale of the job, with the team finishing fifth in South America. Ancelotti has said Brazil has a squad able to compete with any opponent in the expanded 48-team tournament, AFP reported.
Brazil were without Neymar at the start of the competition, according to AFP. The country’s all-time leading scorer was still recovering from a calf injury and had not played for Brazil since 2023, AFP reported.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi had urged his players not to be intimidated by Brazil, AFP reported, and the 2022 semifinalists made the stronger early impression. Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi both tested Brazil before the opening goal, according to AFP.
Saibari scored after collecting a pass from Brahim Diaz, AFP reported. The PSV Eindhoven forward ran between Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, then lifted his finish over goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Brazil’s response came through Vinicius, whose role will be central if the five-time champions are to go far in the tournament, AFP reported. Bruno Guimaraes found the Real Madrid forward on the left side of the penalty area, and Vinicius cut inside onto his right foot before driving a shot into the far corner past Yassine Bounou, according to AFP.
Brazil improved after the equaliser, AFP reported. Before halftime, Lucas Paqueta tried an acrobatic effort that Bounou pushed away.
AFP reported that Brazil created more chances after the break, including an Igor Thiago attempt after a quick throw-in caught Morocco off guard. Raphinha and Danilo also shot straight at Bounou as Brazil searched for a winner, according to AFP.
Morocco had a late chance to take all three points, AFP reported. Alisson parried a long-range strike from El Aynaoui, then reacted quickly to stop Chemsdine Talbi’s follow-up.
Brazil next play Haiti, while Morocco face Scotland in their second Group C match, according to AFP.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.