Vinicius Junior’s individual performance will ease Brazil’s struggles in the opening match of the 2026 tournament against African champions Morocco.
Published June 14, 2026
Vinicius Junior scored a stunning equalizer for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco as the five-time World Cup winners made a shaky start to the competition in New Jersey.
In Saturday’s Group C opener, Ismael Saibari ran through and gave Morocco the lead with a clever scoop in the 21st minute, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil secured a point.
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Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup victory, 24 years since they last lifted the trophy, but this performance suggests Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a lot of work to do.
Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among the players gathered at New Jersey Stadium in New York.
Brazil turned to the highly successful Ancelotti to end the country’s title drought. He became the first foreign coach to lead Brazil in soccer’s biggest tournament.
A fifth place finish in South American qualifying highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian coach insists Brazil has the squad to take on anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Brazil were without Neymar at the start of the tournament as the all-time top scorer is still recovering from a calf injury and has not played for his country since 2023.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouabi urged his players not to be afraid of Brazil, and his message seemed to hit home as the 2022 semi-finalists got off to a bright start in one of the high-profile matches of the first round.
Nir El Ainaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazilian goal before Saibari broke through after a great pass from Brahim Dias.
The PSV Eindhoven forward raced past Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães and held the advancing Alisson Becker on his toes with a clinically lacking finish.
Brazil equalized with a goal from Vinicius 11 minutes later, but Vinicius will play a key role in Brazil’s success this summer.
The Real Madrid star received the ball from Bruno Guimarães on the left side of the area and cut back with his right foot, past Yacine Bounou and into the far corner.
Belatedly injecting some life into a lackluster Brazil side, Lucas Paqueta saw his acrobatic effort pushed aside by Bunu before half-time.
After the break, Brazil caught a napping Morocco with a quick throw-in, and Bounu made a good save from Igor Thiago, and Rafinha and Danilo fired shots at Bounu as the Selecao looked to take the lead.
Morocco almost snatched the winner when Alisson had to react sharply to evade El Ainaoui’s long-range shot and thwart Kemzuddin Talbi’s pursuit.
Brazil will next face outsiders Haiti in the second match, while Morocco will face Scotland.
