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Brazil Held to 1-1 Draw by Morocco in Opening World Cup Showdown

The draw boosts Morocco’s tournament credibility, raising fresh questions about Brazil’s form and Carlo Ancelotti’s selection as both teams head into Group C play.

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Le sélectionneur du Brésil, l'Italien Carlo Ancelotti (C) lors d'un entraînement, le 12 juin 2026 à Morristown (New Jersey), à la veille de l'entrée en lice des Brésiliens au Mondial-2026 contre le Maroc
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Overview

  • The match at MetLife Stadium ended 1-1 on Saturday, with Ismaël Saibari scoring a lob in the 21st minute and Vinícius Júnior replying with a long-range strike in the 32nd minute.
  • Morocco delivered a confident performance that reporters praised and coach Mohamed Ouahbi said showed the team in a new dimension, and he confirmed defenders Nayef Aguerd and Ezzalzouli are ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
  • Brazil’s first-half display prompted sharp criticism from the Brazilian press and former players, who questioned Carlo Ancelotti’s starting choices and flagged defensive errors that contributed to Morocco’s goal.
  • Both teams leave the opener with one point in Group C and now face lower-ranked opponents—Brazil meets Haïti next and Morocco plays Scotland—making Brazil’s next match a key chance to address tactical issues.
  • The high-profile draw fed broader tournament narratives by underlining Morocco’s rise since 2022 and increasing scrutiny on Brazil’s World Cup debut under Ancelotti, all played out before a large crowd that included notable spectators such as Zinédine Zidane.