Vinicius saves Brazil in World Cup opener against Morocco

In a thrilling encounter at New York New Jersey Stadium (USA) early on June 14 (Vietnam time), Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in Group C of the 2026 World Cup. The Samba King fell behind in the 21st minute after a deft finish from Ismael Saibari, but Vinicius Junior produced a moment of magic to rescue a point for his side.

Here are the key takeaways from the match.

Brazil's slow start

Brazil's quest for a sixth world title—after a 24-year wait—continued to face hurdles. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's side looked disjointed in the first half, leaving gaps that Morocco's fast breaks exploited. Having finished fifth in South American qualifying had already raised concerns about the squad's quality, and this match exposed their struggle to keep pace with the opposition's intensity. Midfielder Casemiro was hauled off at halftime after a lackluster display. Ancelotti acknowledged that his team has much work to do if they hope to go deep in the tournament.

Morocco prove their mettle

Four years after their historic run to the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco returned to North America as African champions (though the title was somewhat controversial after the final against Senegal). Under coach Walid Regragui, they played with confidence, imposing their game and creating dangerous chances. Saibari opened the scoring with a subtle tap-in after a long ball over the top, showcasing the North Africans' sharpness in attack. Morocco deserved more than a point had they been more clinical in front of goal.

Vinicius steps up at the right time

When Brazil were struggling for answers, Vinicius Junior delivered a moment of genius. Collecting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left flank, the Real Madrid star cut inside, beat a defender, and curled a precise shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with no chance. It was the kind of difference-making play expected from a world-class talent. Vinicius has scored 16 goals in La Liga and five in the Champions League this season, and he is bringing that form to the World Cup stage.

The Neymar conundrum lingers

The Neymar saga once again dominated headlines as the 34-year-old forward remained sidelined with a calf injury. He has not played for the national team since 2023, despite a surprise call-up that was not part of Ancelotti's original plans. Prolonged injury issues and a dip in form since his return to Santos have clouded Neymar's future. During the match against Morocco, cameras frequently panned to him in the stands, underscoring the public's ongoing fascination with the 'Neymar storm'.

Group C wide open

The draw has made Group C even more intriguing. Scotland currently top the group after a 1-0 win over Haiti, fueling hopes of a first-ever knockout-stage appearance. While Brazil and Morocco remain favorites to advance, Scotland could spring a surprise if they pick up points in their remaining two matches.