World Cup 2026
Stumbling start: Superstar saves Brazil from initial defeat
Updated June 14, 2026 – 2:16 amReading time: 2 minutes
The five-time world champion struggled for a long time in the duel with Morocco. A stroke of genius brings coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team back into the game. Then it gets exciting.
Brazil narrowly avoided a false start in its opening game at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The five-time world champion only managed a 1-1 (1-1) draw against the surprise fourth-placed team in 2022, Morocco, on Sunday night German time.
Ismael Saibari (21′) had put the North Africans, who had been playing furiously in the early stages, in the lead, Vinícius Júnior (32′) scored the equalizer for star coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who got into the game better as the game went on, but in the end were too uninspired offensively.
Brazil, which won the last of its five World Cup titles 24 years ago, is not one of the big favorites at the XXL tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. At least the Seleção survived the tricky start in front of 80,663 spectators without any major damage. The fourth place in the 2022 World Cup was probably the most difficult opponent in Group C.
In their second preliminary round game, the Brazilians face outsiders Haiti, while the highly rated Moroccans face Scotland.
That’s how the game went
Morocco brisk, Brazil erratic: That’s what the game looked like in the first half hour. As expected, the North Africans appeared confident and took the initiative, the South Americans made many inaccuracies and sometimes offered their opponents surprisingly large spaces. That didn’t please Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti, nor his injured veteran star Neymar, who wasn’t part of the squad but was sitting on the bench in a training shirt.
The Moroccans’ lead was not only deserved, but also played out brilliantly. Real star Brahim Díaz served Saibari with a wonderful through ball – and he scored with a lob over keeper Alisson to make it 1-0. FC Bayern Munich wants to sign the 25-year-old offensive man from PSV Eindhoven. In this scene it became clear once again why.
The Seleção were now even more challenged, especially Vinícius Júnior – and he delivered. The 1-1 result from the polarizing high-class technician came more or less out of nowhere, but it was a dream goal. He powerfully sank the ball into the right corner after a fine individual action on the left side.
Brazil’s fans, clearly in the majority in the impressive arena just outside New York, were now in full force again – and Vinícius Júnior heated them up further with his gestures. In stoppage time in the first half, Lucas Paquetá stunned them with a side kick, but Morocco goalkeeper Bono parried.