First World Cup Showdown

Morocco Takes a Point from Group Favorite Brazil

Achraf Hakimi (left) and Vini Jr. in a footrace.(Bild: AFP/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)

Morocco took a point off Group C favorite Brazil. The “Seleção” and the “Atlas Lions” drew 1-1.

The first blockbuster match of the World Cup in North America ended in a draw. Record-holding world champions Brazil and Morocco, 2022 World Cup semifinalists and current African champions, played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday. At the World Cup final stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York, Ismael Saibari (21') put the Moroccans, who dominated the first half, in the lead, but star striker Vinicius Junior (32') saved the five-time world champions from a false start.

Without veteran star Neymar, who faces a prolonged absence due to a calf injury, Brazil came under heavy pressure early on. Morocco kept the ball moving and the opponents on the run, but the Selecao had the best chance of the first quarter-hour. After a cross from Vinicius, Thiago was completely unmarked in the six-yard box for a header but failed to connect properly (14th minute). Saibari did better. Brahim Diaz sent a perfect, deep pass through the middle to the PSV Eindhoven forward, who lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Alisson—who had rushed out of the net—from 18 meters out.

+7

Fotos

Vinicius equalizes
Morocco pressed on and applied pressure. Carlos Ancelotti’s team wavered but managed to equalize thanks to the class of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. The 2024 World Player of the Year scored into the far corner after a deft feint. With a spectacular finish in stoppage time, Lucas Paqueta nearly gave Brazil a halftime lead, but goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the save.

“We didn’t start the game well. The team was a bit nervous; we lost possession and too many duels. The first half wasn’t good. Things improved in the second half,” said Ancelotti. With two fresh faces on the right flank, the Selecao started the second half stronger.

Brazil closer to the winning goal
The Brazilians took control of the game and didn’t allow any dangerous Moroccan attacks until stoppage time. Brazil was clearly closer to the winning goal. Thiago (52'), Raphinha (78'), and Danilo Santos (93') were denied by Bounou, who also cleared the ball well ahead of Raphinha in the 83rd minute. In the 99th minute, Morocco also squandered two chances to seal the match; Alisson saved a long-range shot by Neil Al Aynaoui and the follow-up by Ayoube Amaimouni.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti(Bild: AFP/DAN MULLAN)

Ancelotti mixed feelings
“I’m not disappointed with the result, but I’m not satisfied either,” Ancelotti explained. His counterpart took a more positive view of the point earned. “We drew, we’re satisfied. Of course we would have liked to win, but I’m not sad about it,” said Morocco’s head coach Mohamed Ouahbi. “What I’m really proud of is that we’re brave enough to demand the ball even under pressure. That’s one of our great strengths.” Ouahbi set ambitious goals. “We’re confident about the future of Moroccan soccer. I want to go beyond the semifinals,” said the coach of the Moroccans, who caused a sensation at the tournament in Qatar four years ago by reaching the semifinals.

Brazil – Morocco 1–1 (1–1)
East Rutherford, 80,663, Ref. Vincic (SLO).

Goals: 0–1 (21') Saibari, 1–1 (32') Vinicius Junior

Brazil: Alisson – Ibanez (46. Danilo), Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos – Casemiro (46. Fabinho), Guimaraes (80. Danilo Santos) – Raphinha, Paqueta (61. Cunha), Vinicius Junior – Thiago (61. Luiz Henrique)

Morocco: Bounou – Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui (80. Salah Eddine) – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Saibari (89. Rahimi), Ounahi (64. El Mourabet), El Khannouss (80. Amaimouni) – Diaz (64. Talbi)

Yellow cards: Casemiro, Ibanez; none