Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure as Brazil manager faced a stern test as his team struggled against Morocco, with Ismael Saibari’s stunning opening goal putting the five-time World Cup champions on the back foot. It took a vital intervention from Vinícius Júnior to salvage a draw in their first match of the 2026 World Cup, preventing what could have been a humiliating defeat.
For significant stretches of an engaging first half, Brazil appeared to be at sea, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães unable to contain the Morocco midfield, spearheaded by the impressive Ayyoub Bouaddi. The vibrant atmosphere in Times Square, filled with yellow and red jerseys, set the stage for one of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the group stage. Ultimately, it was the Real Madrid forward, under scrutiny for his international performances, who gave Brazilian fans something to cheer about.
Vinícius scored his 10th goal for the national team in his 50th appearance. With Neymar sidelined due to a calf injury, Ancelotti understands that the team’s hopes of clinching a sixth title heavily depend on the young star. Despite their evident talent, Brazil’s squad is noticeably lacking depth in critical areas. Morocco, fresh off their historic semi-final run in 2022, showcased their ability to exploit these weaknesses and nearly clinched a win late in the game following a mistake from Alisson. Ancelotti’s side did show improvement in the second half after some tactical adjustments, but the Italian has much work ahead to mold them into serious contenders.
“This was a tough match especially in the beginning. The team was a bit anxious, nerves were all over the place. I think we have to reassess what we did in this match. But we can’t lose heart – you don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.” Ancelotti stated candidly. “The players are disappointed because they wanted to win,”
Mohamed Ouahbi took the reins as Morocco’s head coach in March, stepping in for Walid Regragui after clinching the Under-20 World Cup title last year. He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering more of the same after their success in Qatar. Bouaddi, having just recently chosen to represent Morocco over France, showcased his potential with a confident performance that belied his 18 years.
“In the second half, the rhythm dropped but that is understandable against a team of this quality,” Ouahbi remarked. “The rhythm dropped in the second half, which is understandable against a team of this caliber,”
Since their elimination from the last World Cup, Brazil has seen over 90 players called up, although Ancelotti has been consistent in his selections since his appointment last year. His choice to deploy Roger Ibañez at right-back raised eyebrows, given the player’s usual position is central defense, and Morocco’s strategy appeared to target him from the outset.
Noussair Mazraoui initiated attacks from the left, and Neil El Aynaoui’s shot was blocked as Morocco wasted no time on the offensive. Brazil struggled to establish their rhythm until Vinícius Júnior managed to create space on the left, setting up Igor Thiago, who unfortunately mistimed his header.
During the first half, Ancelotti remained on his feet, visibly anxious in the sweltering New Jersey heat. His concerns materialized when Brahim Díaz produced a moment of brilliance. What seemed like a harmless play turned into a remarkable assist for Saibari, who skillfully lobbed the ball over the stranded Alisson. Morocco’s lead was well-deserved.
Had Achraf Hakimi opted to pass to Díaz instead of taking a shot in the next play, Brazil could have found themselves in deeper trouble. However, just when the situation looked dire, Vinícius answered the call by receiving a pass from Guimarães near the byline and slotting the ball past Yassine Bounou from a tight angle, leaving El Aynaoui behind. A collective sigh of relief swept through the stands.
As halftime approached, Bounou had to stretch to his limits to tip Lucas Paquetá’s volley wide, amidst yellow cards for both Casemiro and Ibañez. Acknowledging his selection errors, Ancelotti substituted both players for the second half, bringing on Fabinho and Danilo, which resulted in a more organized tactical formation that kept Morocco pushed back.
Ancelotti introduced Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha for the final thirty minutes as Morocco continued to stifle Brazil’s efforts. A triple substitution that sidelined Díaz indicated Ouahbi might be content with a draw, while Brazil ramped up their attacking intent in the closing minutes. Their best opportunity to secure a win fell to another substitute, Luis Henrique, in the ten minutes of stoppage time, but Bounou again proved equal to the challenge, frustrating a normally composed Ancelotti. The complexities of international management seem to be weighing heavily on him.
