Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Sports
Brazil were forced to settle for a point in their opening match of the World Cup after a spirited Morocco side held the five-time champions to a 1-1 draw in Group C in New York on Saturday.
The result left new Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti with mixed feelings after his tournament debut on the world stage, with the Italian admitting concerns over his team’s sluggish start despite salvaging a draw through a moment of brilliance from Vinicius Junior.
Morocco, whose remarkable run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago transformed perceptions of African football, looked every bit the dangerous and disciplined side that stunned the world in 2022. The Atlas Lions began aggressively and were rewarded with the opening goal after exploiting a rare lapse in the Brazilian defense.
The breakthrough came when Brahim Diaz seized possession in midfield and threaded an incisive pass between Gabriel and Marquinhos. Ismael Saibari raced onto the ball, kept his composure as goalkeeper Alisson rushed off his line, and delicately lifted his finish over the stranded Brazilian keeper to spark celebrations among the Moroccan supporters.
The goal reflected Morocco’s confidence and tactical organization. They pressed effectively, disrupted Brazil’s rhythm, and frequently looked the more cohesive side during large portions of the opening half.
Brazil, however, possess individual quality capable of changing matches in an instant, and it was Vinicius Junior who once again delivered when his team needed him most.
Against the run of play, the Real Madrid star combined neatly with Bruno Guimaraes before cutting inside and unleashing a superb curling effort into the top corner. The spectacular strike restored parity and underlined why Vinicius is regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking players in world football.
While the equalizer shifted momentum, Morocco refused to retreat. Walid Regragui’s side remained disciplined after the break, frustrating Brazil’s attackers and limiting clear scoring opportunities. Their defensive resilience ensured the South Americans were unable to complete the comeback despite enjoying more possession in the second half.
The draw may feel like a missed opportunity for Brazil given their status among the tournament favorites, but Morocco will view the result as further evidence that their World Cup success in Qatar was no one-off achievement.
For Ancelotti, the performance offered a reminder that talent alone may not be enough to navigate a competitive World Cup campaign. Brazil’s attacking stars showed flashes of quality, yet questions remain about the balance and cohesion of a team still adapting to its new manager.
Morocco, meanwhile, left New York with confidence growing and hopes of another deep tournament run very much alive after matching one of football’s traditional giants stride for stride.
