Vinícius Júnior rescues lacklustre Brazil as Morocco earn deserved World Cup draw

Carlo Ancelotti could not conjure a miracle as Brazil fell behind to Ismael Saibari’s brilliant opener, and needed a moment from Vinícius Júnior to prevent the five-time champions’ first match of the 2026 World Cup ending in an embarrassing defeat. Morocco dominated large portions of an absorbing first half, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães struggling to contain a midfield anchored by the outstanding teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Times Square was transformed into a tapestry of yellow and red shirts before the match, and it was the Real Madrid forward who, often criticised for failing to reproduce his club form for the Seleção, gave Brazil something to celebrate by scoring his 10th goal on his 50th appearance while Neymar remained sidelined with a calf injury after his surprise recall.

Mohamed Ouahbi, appointed after winning the Under-20 World Cup, handed Bouaddi only his fourth senior cap and Morocco were ruthless in exploiting Brazil’s weaknesses.

United States, Times Square

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