Vinicius Jr’s particular person efforts elevate Brazil’s wrestle in staff’s 2026 event opener towards Africa champions Morocco.
Printed On 14 Jun 2026
Vinicius Junior scored an excellent equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco because the five-time World Cup winners made an unsure begin to the event in New Jersey.
Ismael Saibari ran by way of to offer Morocco a Twenty first-minute lead with a intelligent scoop within the Group C opener on Saturday, however Vinicius produced a second of magic to make sure Brazil got here away with a degree.
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Brazil are chasing a report sixth World Cup title, 24 years after final lifting the trophy, however this efficiency suggests there may be loads of work to be completed by Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect.
Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka have been all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and have been amongst these in attendance at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Brazil have turned to the massively profitable Ancelotti in a bid to finish the nation’s title drought. He’s the primary international coach to steer Brazil at soccer’s largest event.
A fifth-placed end in South American qualifying underlined the size of the problem going through Ancelotti. Nonetheless, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad able to competing with anybody within the expanded 48-team event.
He was with out Neymar for the beginning of the competitors, with Brazil’s all-time report goalscorer nonetheless recovering from a calf harm, having not performed for his nation since 2023.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his gamers to not concern Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate because the 2022 semifinalists began brightly in one of many standout matches of the primary spherical.
After Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazil aim, Saibari made the breakthrough when he latched onto a wonderful cross from Brahim Diaz.
The PSV Eindhoven ahead raced past Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, holding his nerve with a medical chipped end over the advancing Alisson Becker.
Brazil drew degree 11 minutes later by way of Vinicius, who could have an important position to play if Brazil are to shine this summer time.
The Actual Madrid star obtained the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left aspect of the world earlier than slicing again onto his proper foot and hammering into the far nook previous Yassine Bounou.
It belatedly breathed life right into a lacklustre Brazil, and Lucas Paqueta noticed his acrobatic effort pushed away by Bounou earlier than half-time.
Bounou saved nicely from Igor Thiago as Brazil caught Morocco napping with a fast throw-in after the break, whereas Raphinha and Danilo shot proper at Bounou because the Selecao pressed for a winner.
Morocco practically snatched it on the loss of life when Alisson parried a long-range effort from El Aynaoui and needed to react sharply to dam the follow-up from Chemsdine Talbi.
Brazil subsequent face outsiders Haiti whereas Morocco tackle Scotland of their second match.
