Vinicius Junior scored a stunner as Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw with enterprising Morocco in their Group C opener.
In the slightly more forgiving temperatures of New York, Morocco got off to a blistering start when Brahim Diaz picked up a loose ball in midfield to thread a perfect pass between two of the best centre-backs in world football – Gabriel and Marquinhos – towards Ismael Saibari.
The midfielder collected, settled his nerve, and stood up Alisson before dinking the ball over him. It was a real show of composure and class from World Cup 2022’s surprise package – still the most successful African nation in the history of the tournament.
But Brazil’s brilliance is rarely outshone; their squad so overcrowded with difference-makers. Vinicius Junior was the one to stand up to the pressure on this occasion, as the wondrous winger exchanged passes with Bruno Guimaraes and cut inside to shape a lovely strike into the top corner against the run of play.
Brazil, so often dubbed a team of individuals, needed one of their most talented to dig them out of a hole against a side who appeared more complete overall. Morocco were full of beans in the first period and then showed their steel by digging in in the second. They have every chance of going far if such balance can be maintained.
Brazil and Morocco are the only top 10 teams to meet in the first round of the expanded 48-nation tournament, and on evidence here, there will not be much to separate them when all is said and done. Scotland will hope to take advantage of the points dropped against Haiti later on Sunday.
Lucas Paqueta battles with Noussair Mazraoui
The key moments from New York…
21: GOAL! Brahim Diaz picked up a loose ball in midfield and found Saibiri on the move, who lobbed Alisson.
26: Achraf Hakimi hammered a low shot wide as Morocco pressurised.
32: GOAL! Vinicius Jnr cut inside and bent a wonderful equaliser in top corner against run of play.
45+2: Lucas Paqueta tested Yassine Bounou with an acrobatic low effort.
53: Thiago tried his luck from range but saw his fierce strike beaten away by Bounou.
84: Bounou got Issa Diop out of a sticky situation by racing off his line to clear away from Raphinha.
90+8: Double save needed from Alisson late on after Neil El Aynaoui’s effort from range and Ayoube Amaimouni’s follow-up.
What the result means…
Ancelotti ‘worried’ and expected better
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to FIFA:
“I think we didn’t start very well, I’m a little worried. We lost a lot of duels and possession, but we improved in the second half of a difficult match, because Morocco is a good team.
“In the first half, we had difficulty getting out of the pressure, we could have had more control.
“[Was I] Satisfied? Not really. I expected a better start. But things can happen. Now I’m going to focus on the next game.”
Analysis: Ragged midfield leaves Brazil vulnerable
Casemiro endured a tough opening night for Brazil
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
If there was one aspect of Brazil’s performance that would have concerned Carlo Ancelotti, it was what happened whenever they lost possession, especially in the first half.
On paper, the midfield trio of Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes looks like it should provide the perfect blend of control, energy and technical quality. In reality, the distances between them were far too large in the first half and Morocco repeatedly drove through the spaces that opened up as a result.
Time after time, Brazil’s midfield line was bypassed with simple forward passes, leaving the back four exposed and forced into uncomfortable one-v-one situations. The numbers tell the story. Morocco registered 12 shots before the break and could easily have had more reward for their aggressive approach.
Casemiro often found himself isolated in front of the defence, while Paqueta and Guimaraes were caught between pressing forward and protecting the space behind them.
Brazil did improve after the interval. Casemiro’s withdrawal at half-time altered the dynamic slightly, yet the reduction in Morocco’s threat felt as much a consequence of the North Africans running out of steam after their intense first-half pressing as it did any dramatic tactical fix from Brazil.
Against stronger opposition at the World Cup, leaving the defence that exposed will leave Brazil very vulnerable.
Performance pleases Hakimi
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi to FOX Sports:
“It was not easy… they are one of the favourites for the tournament. We drew but we are happy with the performance.
“We still have to improve every game and that is what we are going to be focusing on right now. We have to keep going. We have to keep the positives and learn from the mistakes.”
