Vinícius Júnior rescues Brazil with equaliser as Morocco hold 1-1 draw

Saibari puts Morocco ahead before Vinicius rescues Brazil with a stunning equaliser as both sides begin their Group C campaign with a point in East Rutherford.

The Brazil men’s soccer team didn’t get off to the start it was hoping for at the 2026 World Cup, tying Morocco 1-1 in their opening match. Then again, there’s no shame in recording a draw against Morocco, given that it is a top-10 team in the world. And so long as both of these...

Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil was always going to be the toughest fixture either side faced in Group C. Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute after Brahim Diaz helped open up Brazil, but Vinicius Junior equalised just over ten minutes later.

New Jersey: Brazil had an experienced defense line against Morocco in their opening Group C FIFA World Cup 2026 game at the New York New Jersey Stadium this weekend, but it seemed out of ideas in the first half. Moroccan trio of Ismael Saibiri, Brahim Diaz, and skipper Achraf Hakimi toyed with Casemiro and co. Saibiri scored a goal to stun around 50,000 Brazil fans inside the stadium before Vinicius Junior restored parity. The five-time champions were outplayed in the first half and were pushed back in the first 20 minutes. Casemiro and Roger Ibanez, who were booked and running out of ideas, were replaced after the half-time break. The five-time champions controlled the game in the second half and returned with a point. They haven’t lost an opening World Cup game since 1934, and they just managed to keep the record intact. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted a chaotic start to the game from the five-time champions. "I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. (We) didn’t keep a lot of ball possession. I think the team was a bit anxious, and nerves were all over the place," said Ancelotti. Brazil will meet Haiti and Scotland next, so they will think they have already played their toughest game in the group. “In the second half, it was a lot better, but it was still tough. I’m sure the team will play better next match,” he added Player of the Match, Vinicius, showed moments of brilliance as the winger has been doing daily for Real Madrid. He fulfilled the leadership role, and Ancelotti tipped the 25-year-old to excel at the tournament as the leader, even when Neymar returns from a calf injury. "He did well. He was very dangerous and I think he has everything in his power to have a great World Cup," Ancelotti said. Morocco coach defends testing 18-year-old Bouaddi against Brazil Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi wasn’t impressed with 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi’s performance against Brazil. Lillee player, Bouaddi, who switched allegiance from France to Morocco recently, had his first competitive start for Morocco. IND W Vs PAK W: Harmanpreet Kaur Ignores Fatima Sana At Toss, Walks Away Without Handshake | VIDEO Viral"It was not a risk to play him just because he's 18," Ouahbi told the media after the match. "I only look at players' performance, not the age of the player. He could be 35, and if he plays well, he'll play, or 17,” he responded to a question about whether it was right to test him against a better-ranked Brazil. "He didn't impress me (against Brazil) because we already know what a player he is," Ouahbi said. The Moroccan coach was content to take a point home against Brazil but admitted a win would have been better. "It was a good match, it's a point. We would've hoped to have more, but we'll take the point. We're happy, we're not sad today, but we would have liked to win,” said Ouahbi.

Vincius Junior came up to Brazil’s rescue in a thrilling 1-1 draw against Morocco in the opening Group C match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at New York, New Jersey stadium here on Saturday evening. Morocco dominated the proceedings with skipper Acraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibiri, and Brahim Diaz pressing high in the first twenty minutes and were eventually rewarded with a 21st-minute goal courtesy their prolific scorer Saibiri. However, Brazil bounced back with a moment of brilliance from Player of the Match Vinicius Junior nine minutes later.  The Moroccan trio, with some support from the midfield, kept troubling the Brazilian defense, which, under pressure, received two yellow cards. But Brazil had more possession in the second half and controlled the game as Moroccan forwards lost steam. Both sides had twelve goal attempts, with the South American side having more shots on target.  The much-anticipated clash began at a good pace, with Morocco winning the initial exchanges after both started with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Hakimi and Brahim had initial aims at the goal, while Brazil’s Raphinho was also once close. Saibari had the best chance, but Brazil's defense was alert.  Iconic! DR Congo Returns To FIFA World Cup After 52 Years In Leopard-Printed Suits & Bags After being under the pump for the initial 20 minutes, Brazil were getting their foothold in the game, but Morocco's pace was too good. No 11 Saibari, on a through ball from Brahim Diaz, skillfully launched an audacious chip over the advancing Alisson Becker as Brazil's half line went missing. The experienced Liverpool goalkeeper had no answer to Saibari’s calm finish.  It was followed by a hydration break, giving Brazil a chance to recover from the shock. Brazil grabbed the chance after surviving a tricky play inside the box by Diaz and Saibari in the 30th minute. On the counter, Bruno Gumares released a pass to Real Madrid’s prolific goal scorer, and Vinicius put Brazil on level in the 32nd minute. He toyed with the Moroccan defender at the left wing and sent in a curling left-footer over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to find the far corner. Morocco kept pressing hard to put even an experienced defender, Casamiro, under pressure. He committed a foul and earned a yellow. Brazil had another booking for Roger Ibanez. Brazil intensified pressure in the injury time before the break, but Morocco just stayed in the game to keep 1-1 at the half time. Portugal To Honour Late Diogo Jota With Commemorative Wristbands At FIFA World Cup 2026 Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti replaced Casemiro and Ibanez, who were on yellow cards, with Fabinho and Danilo at the start of the second half. Morocco lost steam and couldn’t keep up the same pace ten minutes into the second half. Brazil started to dominate, and the second hydration break came at the right time for the men in red. Ten minutes of injury time were added, and Brazil had the major say, but Morocco just defended well. However, Morocco had the best chance in the dying moments to steal three points, but Becker pulled off a great couple of saves towards the death to keep Brazil in the game. The Liverpool custodian used all his experience to avert the late charge from the Reds.  

Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant goal to dig Brazil out of trouble after Ismael Saibari had put Morocco ahead.