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World Cup 2026: Biggest takeaways from Brazil-Morocco group match
A moment of magic from Vinicius Junior salvaged Brazil a point against Morocco in New Jersey, as the five-time World Champions made a shaky start to the tournament.
Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener on Saturday, but a solo effort from Vinicius ensured the points were shared in this much-anticipated group match.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the 1-1 draw at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Brazil make a slow start
Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but this performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
They showed signs of nerves during the early stages of the game and struggled to cope with a lively Morocco attack.
A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti, and this performance has done little to ease concerns about the quality of the Brazil squad.
A number of their players struggled to cope with the intensity of the Moroccan team, with midfielder Casemiro subbed off at half-time after a difficult opening 45 minutes in the heat.
The World Cup final is a long way off in New Jersey, but Brazil will have to vastly improve if they are to have any hope of making it.
Morocco look like the real deal
The Atlas Lions stunned the world of football in 2022 as they made it all the way to the semifinals in Qatar.
Four years later, Morocco have the chance to show that it was not a one-off run to the last four and they are the real deal.
Judging by their performance in New Jersey on Saturday, the North African nation are truly a force to be reckoned with.
They arrived in North America as African Cup of Nations champions, after being retrospectively awarded the title following a controversial final defeat to Senegal, and they continued their strong form with a commanding performance against Brazil, playing with a high level of confidence and plenty of attacking threat.
Morocco appear set for another strong tournament showing.
Vinicius shows his top quality
If Brazil are to make it to the latter stages of this tournament, they will rely heavily on Vinicius to provide goals and assists in North America.
The Real Madrid man has consistently scored for his club this season, including 16 goals in La Liga and five in the Champions League, and it now appears that he is bringing this form to the world stage.
With Brazil struggling in the first half, Vinicius received the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the area before cutting back onto his right foot and hammering into the far corner past Yassine Bounou.
It was the kind of magic moment that he regularly produces for Real Madrid, and the Selecao will be looking for more individual brilliance in their coming games.
Neymar injury hangs over Brazil
The Neymar soap opera is set to dominate another tournament for Brazil, with the 34-year-old on the sidelines for yet another major tournament match.
Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer is still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.
He was dramatically recalled to the national squad, despite not featuring in Ancelotti’s plans during the Italian’s year in charge, but he remains under scrutiny over his fitness and form following years of injury trouble and an underwhelming spell back at Santos.
It is unclear exactly when Neymar will be fit enough to return to first-team action, but judging by the media’s focus on him during Saturday’s match, this saga is set to dominate discussion around Brazil.
Draw leaves Group C wide open
Brazil and Morocco are the clear heavyweights in their group, but Saturday’s draw in New Jersey has left Group C somewhat in the balance.
Scotland currently sit top of the table after a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Boston, and they will now be eyeing the chance to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Morocco and Brazil remain heavy favourites to finish in the top two automatic qualification spots, but Scotland know that any points in their final two group games will almost certainly book their spot in the round of 32.
