Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey
14 June 2026
Brazil’s title challenge got off to a slow start after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their 2026 World Cup opener at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, June 14.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side found themselves on the back foot when Ismael Saibari opened the scoring on 21 minutes, but Vinicius Junior equalised 11 minutes later to earn a share of the spoils.
The Atlas Lions made a bright start in East Rutherford, New Jersey when Achraf Hakimi dragged an effort wide of the left post on seven minutes after being afford space to shoot inside the box.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
But the Canarinho were soon threatening as Igor Thiago gathered a lofted pass inside the area and planted his header wide of the right post on 14 minutes.
The opener would arrive at the other end midway through the first half and it was a well-taken goal. Saibari received a pass from Brahim Diaz on the edge of the box and proceeded to beat Alisson with an exquisite lob after spotting the goalkeeper off his line.
Hakimi had another sniff at goal six minutes later after making a mazy run to the edge of the box before firing wide of the left post once more.
However, the South American giants hit back on 32 minutes courtesy of a clinical strike from Vinicius Junior, who picked out the top right corner of the net from inside the box to leave Yassine Bounou rooted to the spot.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Bounou did manage to get something on the ball when Lucas Paqueta unleashed a first-time shot from inside the area on the stroke of half-time that he turned behind for a corner.
The Al-Hilal shot-stopper was called into action again seven minutes into the second half with a brilliant save to deny Thiago and had to be alert once more to stop Raphinha’s shot with his legs on 78 minutes.
Both teams had a chance to win it in stoppage time, with Danilo Santos getting off a first-time shot that was superbly saved by Bounou on 93 minutes before Neil El Aynaoui saw his long-range shot kept out by Alisson, who reacted quickest to prevent Ayoube Amaimouni from scoring on the rebound in the 99th minute.
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