Vinicius Jr rescues Brazil in World Cup opener draw with Morocco

Vinicius Jr again carried Brazil when the game was slipping away, but the 1-1 draw with Morocco at MetLife Stadium also laid bare how much work remains before the 2026 World Cup gets serious. Morocco struck first through Ismael Saibari in the 21st minute, and only Vinicius’ 32nd-minute response prevented Brazil from opening Group C with a damaging defeat.

The equaliser was the kind of moment that explains why Brazil still lean so heavily on their brightest names. Vinicius reached 50 senior caps for Brazil in the match and scored his 10th international goal, turning a difficult night into a salvage job. It was also his first goal for Brazil in a match that did not end in victory, a reminder that even a player who won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award in 2024 cannot solve every problem alone.

Brazil’s larger issues were on display long before Vinicius finished. Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists and reigning AFCON champions, rushed the opening half with pace and purpose, and Brahim Diaz helped create the counter-attack that led to Saibari’s opener. Morocco had 12 shots in the first 30 minutes, and Brazil spent long spells chasing the game rather than controlling it. Lucas Paqueta lost possession before the goal, and Brazil’s midfield never fully settled against Morocco’s compact shape.

Carlo Ancelotti, taking charge of Brazil at a World Cup for the first time and becoming the first foreign coach to lead the side at the tournament, did not hide the flaws. He said Brazil were “nervous” and “unbalanced” in the first half, and that the team lost too many challenges before improving after the break. Vinicius was equally direct, saying Brazil started “on a really bad note” and needed to hold on to the ball better and improve movement in attack.

The draw left Group C finely poised ahead of Brazil’s remaining matches against Haiti and Scotland. It also kept Brazil’s long run of unbeaten World Cup openers intact, a streak that has lasted since 1934. Still, the mood around the five-time champions was more cautious than celebratory, especially with Neymar absent because of a right calf injury and Endrick left unused on the bench. For all the noise around Brazil’s ceiling, this was the sort of opener that reminded everyone how fragile the foundation still looks.