Brazil 1-1 Morocco: Vinícius's Beauty Saves Ancelotti
Vinícius Júnior rescued Brazil. The Real Madrid forward equalised in the 32nd minute at MetLife Stadium on Saturday 13 June, cancelling out Ismael Saibari's 21st-minute opener and earning Carlo Ancelotti's side a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their 2026 World Cup opener. The five-time champions extended their unbeaten World Cup opener run to 21 matches. Morocco won the night on every other measure.
Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their 2026 World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium on Saturday 13 June, in front of 80,663. Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute. Vinícius Júnior equalised in the 32nd. Neymar missed the match with a torn right calf.
1. How did Brazil draw 1-1 with Morocco in the World Cup opener?
Morocco set the tempo, pressing Brazil's full-backs into the channels in the opening 20 minutes. The breakthrough was deserved. Ismael Saibari ran on to a through pass at the top of the area in the 21st minute, found Alisson Becker slow off his line, and chipped the goalkeeper to give Morocco the lead.
Brazil's response took eleven minutes. Vinícius Júnior exchanged passes with Bruno Guimarães on the left, took two touches to make space, and rifled a right-footed shot past the outstretched arm of Yassine Bounou for his 10th international goal. The 80,663 inside MetLife Stadium had their game.
The second half belonged to Morocco again. Ancelotti's front three of Vinícius, Raphinha and Matheus Cunha drifted in and out of the contest. Morocco created the better chances. The 1-1 felt fair on the night.
2. Vinícius Junior's beauty and Brazil's bigger questions
Vinícius now has 10 goals for Brazil. This World Cup is his first as the unambiguous talisman of the side. The Real Madrid forward played the full 90 minutes alongside Raphinha, with Matheus Cunha leading the line. Signed Vinícius Júnior memorabilia is part of the authenticated catalogue at MVPs.
Brazil missed Neymar more than the team sheet admitted. The Santos forward did not even dress for the match, still recovering from a torn right calf picked up in late May. He is expected back later in the group stage. Without him, Brazil lacked the No. 10 who can break a low block.
Ancelotti's side now go into the rest of Group C with questions about midfield control and the connection between Vinícius and the rest of the front line. The Italian became Brazil's first foreign World Cup coach when he took the job last year. Saturday was his first answer in the role. It did not settle the case either way.
3. What Brazil's draw means for Group C
Group C is now wide open. Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in the late kick-off on Saturday through John McGinn's 28th-minute finish, sitting top on three points alongside the Tartan Army's first World Cup goal since France 1998. Brazil and Morocco share second on one point. Haiti are bottom.
Brazil play Haiti next at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday 19 June. Scotland and Morocco meet at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough the same day. Brazil then face Scotland on Wednesday 24 June at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in what is now the group's defining fixture.
Brazil's unbeaten run in World Cup openers stretches back to 1934, the only loss of which came against Spain that year. Saturday extended the streak to 21, including 17 wins. The five-time champions remain unbeaten. They also remain unconvincing.