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World Cup 2026: Brazil and Morocco draw in heavyweight Group C opener

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Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday as the five-time World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the tournament in New Jersey.

Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point.

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.

Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at MetLife Stadium.

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Brazil have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti a bid to end the country’s title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament.

A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad capable of competing with anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Read moreKenya: World Cup fever hits Kibera’s second-hand jersey market

He was without Neymar for the start of the competition, with Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.

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Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his players not to fear Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate as the 2022 semi-finalists started brightly in one of the standout matches of the first round.

After Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazil goal, Saibari made the breakthrough when he latched onto a fine pass from Brahim Diaz.

The PSV Eindhoven forward raced beyond Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, holding his nerve with a clincal chipped finish over the advancing Alisson Becker.

Brazil drew level 11 minutes later through Vinicius, who will have a vital role to play if Brazil are to shine this summer.

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The Real Madrid star 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 belatedly breathed life into a lacklustre Brazil and Lucas Paqueta saw his acrobatic effort pushed away by Bounou before half-time.

Bounou saved well from Igor Thiago as Brazil caught Morocco napping with a quick throw-in after the break, while Raphinha and Danilo shot right at Bounou as the Selecao pressed for a winner.

Morocco nearly snatched it at the death when Alisson parried a long-range effort from El Aynaoui and had to react sharply to block the follow-up from Chemsdine Talbi.

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Brazil next face outsiders Haiti while Morocco take on Scotland in their second match.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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5 WWE Superstars who would’ve benefited from being in the Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match at SummerSlam

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Rhea Ripley’s meniscus injury has forced the company to crown an Interim WWE Women’s Champion, and they are going to do so in a massive five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

The field is stacked with former champions. Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, and Chelsea Green are confirmed to participate in the bout. Giulia and Lash Legend will collide on this week’s SmackDown for the final spot in the match.

While the bout is sure to be exciting, it could be argued that WWE could have used this opportunity to showcase fresher or underrated talent instead of established names. Here are five stars who would have benefited from being in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

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#5. Jacy Jayne

Jacy Jayne arrived on SmackDown following WrestleMania 42 alongside Fatal Influence, and the group has already secured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. That said, while Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid have gold, Jayne does not.

The Rockstar faced Tiffany Stratton in a qualifying match for the ladder match, but didn’t win. Fatal Influence is now set to face The Bella Twins and Paige at SummerSlam. While it’s a positive that the group has made it to the card, it would have been more beneficial for Jacy Jayne if she had qualified for the five-way Ladder Match.

Jayne carried the NXT women’s division for a long time and has enough experience as a main event talent. The Ladder Match would have been an excellent opportunity for her to showcase her in-ring prowess and establish her on SmackDown.


#4. Candice LeRae

Candice LeRae is one of the most experienced women on the roster. However, despite being a veteran, she hasn’t had a clear direction on television in a while. The five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam could have been a great way to reintroduce her to the mix.

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Currently, her only television time is alongside her husband, Johnny Gargano, who lies motionless backstage, as she tries to get him back to normal. A competitor like LeRae deserves to be in the ring, competing with the best of WWE.

Even if she does not win, Candice LeRae would have benefitted immensely from being included in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.


#3. Michin

Michin is known for her fearlessness in the ring, a quality that could have shined in the five-way Ladder Match. She and B-Fab are currently in a group led by Jade Cargill. While The Storm is in the match, her stablemates didn’t receive an opportunity to qualify.

Michin could have produced several memorable moments in the five-way Ladder Match if she had participated in it. It would have made the match better and showcased her in a different light.

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#2. Fallon Henley

Fallon Henley could have been a sleeper pick for the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam. While all three women in Fatal Influence have been impressive, Henley has generated a lot of popularity for herself online.

The company could have capitalized on it and had her compete in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship match. For a young star like Henley, an impressive performance in a high-stakes match could become a career-defining moment.


#1. WWE star Blake Monroe

Perhaps the most surprising omission from the five-way Ladder Match and the SummerSlam card in general is Blake Monroe. The Glamour has arrived on SmackDown, but she has yet to have a televised match as a main roster star.

Monroe is regarded as one of the most promising talents, and SummerSlam could have been the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the main roster. Despite being young, the former AEW star is no stranger to big-time matches and could have added a lot to the Ladder Match.

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