Brazil kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign in style, but it was a tale of two halves for Carlo Ancelotti's team. Trailing by a goal midway through the first half, Vinícius Júnior's late equaliser rescued a point against Morocco and sent shockwaves through the stadium in New Jersey.
The North African side had been touted as dark horses ahead of this encounter, and they more than lived up to their billing. Ismael Saibari's stunning 25-yard lob over Alisson in the 23rd minute gave them a deserved lead, leaving Brazil reeling. The Atlas Lions' new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi's tactical nous was on full display as his team dominated possession and caused chaos for the Seleção.
Vinícius Júnior, marking his 50th appearance for Brazil with a vital goal, proved that even without talisman Neymar – still nursing a calf injury – this side has more than enough firepower. His 10th international goal was a much-needed boost for Ancelotti's team, who struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.
Morocco's midfield performance was nothing short of breathtaking, with teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi emerging as one of the stars of the show. The way they pressed Brazil high up the pitch left Ancelotti's team scrambling for answers. Even the usually dependable trio of Casemiro and Fabinho looked off-colour at times.
Ancelotti himself admitted that his side had been "anxious" and "nervous" in the early stages, but he was keen to stress that this is just the beginning of their World Cup journey. With over 90 players called up for the qualifiers, it's clear that this Brazil team is still finding its feet. The performance against Morocco serves as a stark reminder that in international football, one bad day at the office can be all it takes to change the script.
As the Brazilians head back home with a point from their opening game, they know they have their work cut out for them if they're to lift the trophy for a sixth time. Ancelotti's task now is to refine his team's strategy and get them firing on all cylinders – and fast.
Morocco, meanwhile, are already looking up at the stars, their ambition palpable as they plot a path through the qualifiers. Ouahbi's side may not have taken all three points, but they've certainly made their mark on this tournament.