Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in the World Cup’s first heavyweight clash on Saturday, with the African team confirming its potential while exposing its opponents’ familiar weaknesses in a packed stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved first-half lead before Vinicius Jr produced a moment of brilliance to restore parity, ensuring the points were shared in the opening Group C match.
The result leaves the group very balanced ahead of Haiti’s meeting with Scotland later on Saturday in the group’s other match.
For 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, the performance offered further proof that they can challenge the traditional powers of the game.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were left with questions to answer after a disjointed performance in which they were repeatedly pressured by their opponents’ pace and movement.
“I don’t think we started the game well, the team was a little nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half was not good,” said Ancelotti, who noted that Brazil improved after the break.
“They improved in the second half; it is a difficult match because Morocco is a good team. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they escaped our pressure and made dangerous counterattacks.”
Morocco made a brighter start, patiently handling the ball down the flanks and posing an early threat through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss, as Brazil looked to attack on the counter-attack.
Morocco repeatedly cut through Brazil’s midfield with alarming ease, exposing the spaces between the lines as teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi demonstrated his talent.
Brazil’s first attempt came in the 14th minute, but Igor Thiago failed to take advantage of it and missed his header.
Weaknesses
Seven minutes later, the five-time world champion’s defensive weaknesses were exposed.
Lucas Paqueta was dispossessed in midfield, allowing Díaz to pass to Saibari while centre-backs Marquinhos and Gabriel were caught out.
Alisson compounded the mistake with a mistimed charge from his line, and Saibari calmly lofted the ball over the goalkeeper to give Morocco the lead.
Brazil continued to fight against Morocco’s intensity and organization, although the Africans were unable to convert their superiority into new objectives.
Instead, it only took one moment of brilliance from Vinicius to draw Brazil level in the 32nd minute.
Picking up a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left edge of the area, he cut inside with his right foot and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Brazil almost completed the comeback on the stroke of halftime, but goalkeeper Yassine Bounou reacted sharply to stop Paquetá’s acrobatic scissors shot.
Midfielder Fabinho and defender Danilo replaced Casemiro and Roger Ibáñez, who had a woeful first half, giving Brazil a little more control of the game in the second half.
Brazil accelerated, showing more poise and forcing Morocco to defend more, although they struggled to create clear opportunities until the 78th minute, when Raphinha collected a Vinicius cross.
The lead skyrocketed when both sides mostly avoided risks. Brazil found some new energy in the final minutes, coming close through Matheus Cunha, but they were still missing their classic swagger.
Both teams will relish their chances of finishing top of the group and potentially getting a better path into the knockout stages.
