A moment of pure individual brilliance from Vinicius Jr. spared Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil from an opening-day defeat, as a vibrant Morocco side held the five-time world champions to a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Group C opener on Saturday.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at MetLife Stadium, Morocco, the historic semifinalists of the 2022 World Cup, fully backed up their heavyweight credentials.
The North Africans thoroughly outplayed Brazil for large stretches of the match, exposing familiar defensive frailties in the Seleção and proving they are ready to challenge football's traditional elite once again.
Morocco stuns the Seleção
Morocco started with intensity and tactical organization, exploiting the flanks through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss. With teenage prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi pulling the strings in midfield, the Atlas Lions sliced through Brazil's lines with alarming ease.
The pressure paid off in the 21st minute, after Brazil's Igor Thiago wasted a golden opportunity by fluffing a free header moments earlier, Morocco punished the South Americans' defensive sluggishness.
Ismael Saibari capitalized on the Seleção's open backline, slotting home a thoroughly deserved opener to send the Moroccan fans into a frenzy.
"If you're asking me if I want to have the same trajectory as 2022, no. I want to go beyond the semifinals this time," Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the match. "This was one point, but we hoped to have more. One point is good enough, and we will improve."
Brazil struggled to cope with Morocco's relentless press, but when you possess the world's most lethal forwards, a tactical script can be ripped up in a second.
In the 32nd minute, completely against the run of play, Vinicius Jr. produced a moment of magic, carving out an equalizer from nothing to haul his country level.
The Seleção nearly turned the game completely on its head just before halftime, but Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou pulled off a spectacular reflex save to deny Lucas Paquetá's acrobatic scissor kick.
Ancelotti's men found more poise in the second half, upping the tempo and forcing Morocco into a deeper defensive block.
However, clear-cut chances remained premium. Brazil's best opportunity to snatch a late winner came in the 78th minute, but Raphinha failed to convert a dangerous cross from Vinicius Jr.
"I don't think we started the match well; the team was a bit nervous," Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted post-match. "We lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn't good."
(With input from wires)
