Sports
Brazil-Morocco live: Vinicius Jr. equalises after Saibari’s early opener
Morocco faces Brazil in their World Cup 2026 opening match, with Group C’s heavyweight clash pitting Achraf Hakimi’s African underdogs against Vinicius and Brazil’s five-time champions. Follow our blog as the tournament’s first truly heavyweight encounter unfolds.
Official lineups of Brazil – Morocco
Brazil : Alisson – Ibañez, Marquinhos (c), Gabriel, Douglas Santos – Guimarães, Casemiro, Paqueta – Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius.
Morocco : Bounou – Hakimi (c), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari.
Earlier today
Half-time at MetLife
Brazil have clawed their way back into this after Vini’s equaliser, but Morocco remain dangerous. Everything to play for in the second half.
Paqueta goes close
Lucas Paqueta attempts a snapy volley in the box but can’t beat Bono. Brazil win a corner as they press for the lead.
4 minutes of added time
Yellow for Casemiro
Brazil’s midfielder receives a deserved yellow card for a poor tackle. He protests, but the referee’s decision stand.
Brazil back in the game
Vinicius’s strike lifts the pressure. Brazil’s players visibly relax, while their supporters roar back to life at MetLife stadium. The momentum has shifted in Seleção’s favour.
Viniiiiiiii
Vinicius Jr cuts inside and unleashes a superb strike from the box that flies into the top right corner. Bono has no chance! Brazil is back!
Heat takes its toll
It’s nearly 30 degrees at MetLife stadium, and Brazil’s players appear less comfortable in the humidity than their Moroccan counterparts. The heat is beginning to show as the Seleção struggles to maintain their intensity.
Morocco apply the pressure
Hakimi creates another chance as Morocco look to suffocate Brazil early. Issues with Seleçao’s pressing game are already evident as it struggles to regain the ball.
Time for a cooling break
Perfect timing for Carlo Ancelotti to regroup his side and plot Brazil’s response.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL
What a finish!!! Ismael Saibari receives the ball on the edge of the box and executes a perfect lob over the Brazilian goalkeeper!
Brazil’s first chance
Lucas Paqueta, the former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder, launches a long ball toward goal, but Morocco goalkeeper Bono handles it comfortably.
Saibari’s false 9 creates space
Mazraoui threads a delicate through ball to Ismael Saibari in the box, but Brazil’s defence steps in to block. Morocco’s false 9 positioning is already proving effective, dragging Brazil’s centre-backs out of position.
Brahim Diaz forces first shot
Brahimi receives a quality pass and lets fly from distance, but a Brazilian defender blocks his effort before it reaches goal.
Strong start for Morocco
Achraf Hakimi demonstrates his authority as Morocco’s captain, creating two promising opportunities early on. The Lions of the Atlas are making a statement
Early chance for Morocco
An early free kick in a promising position for the Lions of the Atlas.
They look sharp from the start!
Let’s go!
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic blows his whistle: Brazil-Morocco is underway!
The World Cup 2026‘s first heavyweight clash will take place at MetLife stadium, the future venue of the final. It will pit Morocco, Africa’s finalists, against Brazil, five-time world champions.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026 – Schedule
This is the first major test for each coach in their World Cup debut. Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti can rely on stars like FC Barcelona‘s Raphinha, runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and Vinicius Junior, but not yet on Neymar who will miss the entire group stage.
On the Moroccan side, Mohamed Ouahbi must manage without OM’s central defender Nayef Aguerd and Betis Seville’s winger Abde Ezzalzouli.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
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