Brazil rescued by Vinicius Junior as Morocco lead slips in World Cup opener

Brazil began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Saturday, with Vinicius Junior rescuing Carlo Ancelotti’s side after a disjointed first-half display left the five-time champions trailing and looking vulnerable.

Morocco were the sharper side from the outset and took a deserved lead when Brahim Diaz split the Brazilian defence with a precise pass from the centre circle, allowing Ismael Saibari to run clear and lift the ball over goalkeeper Alisson. Brazil had looked shaky at the back and sloppy in possession, with Lucas Paqueta and Casemiro struggling to find teammates, while Gabriel and Casemiro both appeared off the pace and prone to errors.

The introduction of mandatory hydration breaks — effectively dividing the match into four quarters — gave Ancelotti the opportunity to make tactical adjustments at the first interval, when Brazil were fortunate not to be further behind. The changes gradually steadied the ship, and Vinicius Junior grew into the contest, taking control of the game and eventually drawing Brazil level.

The result leaves questions hanging over Ancelotti’s squad as they look to secure a record sixth World Cup title. The performance will do little to silence doubters who pointed to an unconvincing qualifying campaign, and the depth of Brazil’s reliance on Vinicius to conjure something from nothing was plain to see in New York.

The game was played against a vivid backdrop in the city, with thousands of Brazil supporters flooding Manhattan in the days before kick-off, turning Times Square a sea of yellow. New York’s own sporting faithful, meanwhile, had reason to celebrate on the same evening: the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA Championship in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the Finals to end a title drought stretching back to 1973.