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Vinicius Jr is Brazil’s cheat code but Morocco show what’s missing at World Cup 2026

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With Brazil floundering during an alarming first half of their World Cup 2026 opener against a slick and bold Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti desperately looked around for a saviour. Enter Vinicius Jr and a piece of exquisite skill to delight a sea of yellow inside this New York bowl and ignite a flawed Selecao in their pursuit of a sixth star.

Their wooden midfield, with Casemiro’s redemption at Manchester United obscured upon sporting that famous canary, and imposters at full-back enough to make Cafu and Roberto Carlos shudder, Vinicius Jr’s mercurial talent shone a light on why the heart of this tournament’s greatest team still beats.

A laser from the left side of the penalty area that pierced the top right corner of Bono’s net led to an eruption of joy and relief in equal doses. Bruno Guimaraes, also uncomfortable around the snapping Moroccan midfielders, placed an imperfect pass into space. Vinicius Jr reset, gathered and then sent a shiver down the spine of Neil El Aynaoui. Unable to stop the inevitable dance inside, Vinicius Jr brought parity, but also underlined Ancelotti’s ongoing struggle to find balance.

Vinicius Jr salvaged a point for Brazil in their World Cup opener
Vinicius Jr salvaged a point for Brazil in their World Cup opener (Reuters)

This entire mission under Ancelotti, a first foreign manager of this proud nation, is the “rumo ao hexa,” or chasing the sixth, with parallels between this year’s quest and the triumph in 1994. And not merely due to the USA hosting both tournaments. With a 24-year drought between the legendary 1970 side and the overspill of emotion from those penalties in Pasadena, it has now also been 24 years since Ronaldo guided a side that gifted the world “joga bonito”.

That particular philosophy has long since disappeared; no longer the fabulous entertainers of the past, irresistible at their best and able to overwhelm opponents. That is why echoes of 1994 resonate. There, a Brazil side also flawed, but leaning on the ruthless Romario and Bebeto, covered up the cracks just enough, and grew into a tournament. Here, across 104 total matches and 48 teams there will be an opportunity to do just that.

The wildcard to this Selecao might still be Neymar Jr: a nation of 220 million coaches, Romario once said, that particular decision might be scrutinised a little more if Brazil fail to fire this summer.

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Ancelotti is known to resist coveting a “clear identity,” and his Brazil made that apparent against the African champions, for now, with Senegal determined to reverse that status through Cas.

Carlo Ancelotti is Brazil’s first ever foreign manager
Carlo Ancelotti is Brazil’s first ever foreign manager (Getty)

Ancelotti has talent, but confessed that “without talent you cannot win but balance is also very important,” and that remains the unanswered question here, with the ambitious approach from former Under-20s boss Mohamed Ouahbi offering an immediate fright to his opponents.

Brazil’s aforementioned glaring weakness at full-back saw Roger Ibanez exposed early and often. A stern examination from Bilal El Khannouss led to the crowd wincing at every twist and turn. And the rampaging Noussair Mazraoui overlapped nicely to leave the Al-Ahli defender sprawling.

The cut-back bobbled across to El Aynaoui and the finish lacked conviction in an early reprieve for the Selecao.

Brazil's wooden midfield were overrun by Morocco
Brazil’s wooden midfield were overrun by Morocco (Reuters)

Then Azzedine Ounahi shifted the ball and angle on the edge of the penalty area; Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta’s desperate, chopping challenges exemplified how uncomfortable Brazil looked.

But Vinicius Jr’s sparkle offered a threat, regardless, with Achraf Hakimi beaten for pace. Igor Thiago failed to capitalise on the chance supplied by the winger or the moment, after being handed the starting centre forward jersey at a World Cup for the five-time winners.

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A rare moment of danger from Brazil was soon erased by Morocco, who exposed the Selecao’s hapless shape. Brahim Diaz floated the ball in behind from deep, allowing Ismael Saibari to race past Gabriel Magalhaes and delicately lift the ball over Alisson Becker.

Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved lead
Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved lead (Reuters)

El Khannouss then opened up Brazil again, but Hakimi failed to capitalise after driving into space in yet another dangerous counter-attack. A trend that could hand Ancelotti some restless nights before future tests against Haiti and Scotland.

Hakimi boldly declared Morocco were “The Brazilians of Africa” ahead of the tournament and it was easy to see why, with Diaz’s little flick opening up the Selecao once more, but Saibari failed to connect cleanly and handed his side a hard truth at this level.

Morocco’s profligacy was punished with the ultimate cheat code: Vinicius Jr. His crisp finish brought an undeserved equaliser.

The second half failed to live up to the breathless pace of the first. Morocco wilted to show why Brazil will remain dangerous as this tournament unfolds.

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The No 7’s pace could emerge as one of the fiercest weapons at this tournament, too, particularly in conditions like those in New Jersey, as temperatures reached 30C. One particular counter-attack saw a dragged finish from Raphinha stand between lift-off for a partnership that could match that of Romario and Bebeto on the biggest stage.

Danilo Santos dragged a finish in the closing stages and El Aynaoui’s bending drive was spilt by Alisson with Ayoube Amaimouni’s rebound smothered in a late scare. Those efforts were the first shots on goal for the Africans between the 31st and 99th minute. The points shared, but the pursuit of balance will define this Brazil and right now it has deserted them.

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Bangladesh vs Australia, 3rd ODI: Live Score Updates

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Bangladesh vs Australia, 3rd ODI: Live Updates© AFP




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Bangladesh vs Australia, 3rd ODI Live Updates: Bangladesh stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in the third and final ODI of the three-match series on Sunday in Dhaka. With a 2-0 lead, Bangladesh will be eyeing a historic clean sweep over the mighty Australians. In the first ODI, Australia suffered a heavy 86-run defeat. In the second match, they were reduced to 0/3 before recovering to post 187/8 in a rain-curtailed 42-over contest. However, the hosts comfortably chased down the target in 35 overs with five wickets in hand, securing an unassailable lead in the series. Josh Inglis will be hoping to finish the series on a high and help Australia avoid a whitewash. (Live Scorecard)


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John McGinn lifts Scotland past Haiti in World Cup opener

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June 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.; Scotland's John McGinn celebrates scoring their first goal.  Mandatory Credit: David Butler Ii-Imagn Images June 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.; Scotland’s John McGinn celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: David Butler Ii-Imagn Images

John McGinn scored a goal just past the midway point of the first half and Scotland moved to the top of the Group C standings with a 1-0 victory Saturday in the opening match of the World Cup for both teams at Foxborough, Mass.

Angus Gunn made two saves to record the clean sheet as Scotland came away with three points to sit ahead of group favorites Brazil and Morocco, who played to a 1-1 tie earlier Saturday.

The victory came in Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

Johny Placide made one save for Haiti, who were making their second World Cup appearance and first since 1974.

Haiti held their own in the first half with eight shots to seven for Scotland. Each team had two shots on goal. But Scotland still managed to be most dangerous in the opening 45 minutes.

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Scotland’s first quality chance came in the 17th minute, when Scott McTominay fired a shot from the edge of the box that drilled the right post and came back into play.

Scotland managed to break through in the 28th minute. Che Adams took a shot that was saved by Placide before McGinn gathered the deflection. McGinn’s left-footed shot found the back of the net after a pair of deflections off the Haiti defense.

Both teams had shots just wide of goal in the 73rd minute when McGinn was off target for Scotland and Ruben Providence was unable to convert for Haiti.

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Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot put a header just wide of the goal that would have tied the match in the 85th minute. Pierrot again took a shot while falling to the ground in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time that was saved by Gunn.

Haiti finished the match with 15 shots (two on target), while Scotland had nine shots (two on target).

The challenge only increases for each team in their second matches of group play on Friday, with Scotland set to face Morocco at Foxborough, while Haiti is matched up against Brazil at Philadelphia.

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–Field Level Media

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Dave Allen makes knockout prediction for Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia: “I put him in the top bracket”

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Dave Allen has predicted how countryman Conor Benn will fare if he ends up facing Ryan Garcia later this year.

The pair are set to lock horns before 2026 comes to a close, yet there has been no date or venue officially announced for their world title showdown.

It was also reported earlier this week that Garcia’s promoter, Golden Boy, has sent a cease and desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and TKO Group, who represent Benn.

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It is alleged that Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing never obtained consent from Golden Boy to pursue a clash between Benn and Garcia, who is reportedly still under contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional outfit.

At the same time, though, White declared at the post-fight press conference for Zuffa Boxing 07 that they are closing in on an announcement for Garcia-Benn, which is expected to take place in Las Vegas.

This would see ‘King Ry’ make a first defence of his WBC welterweight title, which he claimed via a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios in February.

Benn, meanwhile, is the WBC mandatory challenger at 147lbs, despite having not made the weight since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden in 2022.

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Irrespective of the weight, though, British heavyweight Allen has predicted on social media that Garcia will be a level or two above his potential opponent.

“On first thoughts, I can’t imagine Conor being good enough to beat Garcia. Conor is a good fighter, don’t get me wrong.

“I think he’s good, he’s really athletic. But [I] just put Garcia in that top bracket. My prediction would be a Garcia stoppage. I think he’s probably a level or two above where we’ve seen Conor. Interesting fight, though.”

Indeed, Benn is yet to establish himself as a world-class operator, even after back-to-back points victories over faded versions of Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis.

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Knicks’ Jalen Brunson named NBA Finals MVP after 45-point outburst in Game 5

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The New York Knicks have won their first championship since 1973 and just the third in franchise history with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It caps one of the most impressive postseason runs in history and puts to bed the notion that small point guards — at least ones not named Stephen Curry — can’t lead teams to a title in the modern NBA. 

Jalen Brunson has done just that, finishing off the Spurs with a 45-point masterpiece en route to being named Finals MVP. Brunson, who averaged 32.6 points per game for the series, becomes just the fourth player listed at 6-foot-2 or shorter to win Finals MVP, joining Curry, Isiah Thomas and Tony Parker. 

Brunson, who was selected in the second round at No. 33 in 2018, is also the second-lowest drafted player to win Finals MVP, trailing only Nikola Jokic, who was taken No. 41 overall. 

The word underdog gets thrown around a lot in sports, but Brunson truly epitomizes the word. He was not supposed to be anywhere near this kind of player, let alone on this kind of stage. He was considered too short. Not athletic enough. A defensive liability. When the Knicks signed him to a four-year, $104 million contract in the summer of 2022, he was regarded as a consolation prize, if not an outright disappointment, after the franchise had been striking out on true big-name stars for years. 

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No LeBron James in 2010. The Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire connection never really materialized. No Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving in 2019. Looking back, getting Brunson, let alone on that kind of contract, was indisputably one of the greatest signings in NBA history. 

Brunson will be a New York hero for the rest of time, and he earned every bit of the status. What a player. What a team. What a playoff run and what a Finals. It’s storybook stuff, and no player embodies the grit and heart of the city and fanbase he represents more than Brunson. 

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How to complete Joining the Mercenaries

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In Gothic 1 Remake, mercenaries are the elite combatants of the New Camp. But in order to join their ranks, you will need to progress past Chapter 2. The joining process is tied around a simple quest given to you by Lee, the leader of the Mercenaries.

In this guide, we will break down how to complete the Joining the Mercenaries quest in Gothic 1 Remake.


How to complete Joining the Mercenaries quest in Gothic 1 Remake

If you are planning to join the New Camp, you will have to become a bandit first and work for Lares during chapter 2, named The Minecrawler’s Nest. The quest takes you to the Swamp Camp, where you watch them break apart into two separate groups.

Meet Lee at the New Camp

After you return from the Swamp Camp, you will be greeted by Jarvis near the New Camp entrance, who will inform you that Lee has been looking for you. But before meeting with Lee, report back to Lares and complete the Brotherhood’s Plan quest.

Additionally, learn the better diving skill from Homer in the New Camp.

You can find Lee neat the Mage's quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)You can find Lee neat the Mage's quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
You can find Lee neat the Mage’s quarters (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Afterwards, go and find Lee in the rooms at the back of the camp, near the mage’s quarters. He will only induct you into the ranks of the Mercenaries if you help out the water mage named Myxir.


Find and help Myxir near the lighthouse

Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Lighthouse location (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Myxis is located near the right-side path of the Lighhouse, which goes down towards the beach. To find the lighthouse, follow the river to the far east section of the map.

Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Go right of the lighthouse to find the trail leading down towards the beach (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

The path leading to the lighthouse will diverge and go to the right side. Follow it until you locate the path leading downwards. Myxis will be standing near the halfway point down the trail.

Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Meet up with Myxis (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After you meet with Myxis, go down towards the shipwreck on the beach. Be careful in this region, as you will encounter Fire Lizards. There are a total of six Fire Lizards around the shipwreck.

Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Fire Lizards deal enough fire damage to instantly drain your life (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Do not get caught in their fire-breath attack; stay at a distance and let Myxis freeze them using magic. Once they are frozen, use your bow to deal a decent amount of damage while staying at a distance.

There will be the wreckage of a ship on the beach. Unlock the cabin door to find the following items inside:

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  • Recipe of Seaforest Brew
  • Armor Amulet

The Armor Amulet is especially potent, as it grants you +15 Edge and +15 Blunt stats.


Find the source of Magic for Myxis

Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Myxir will point you towards the approximate location of the magical item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After clearing out the beach, Myxir will ask you to dive down into the sea and find the source of the magic. The only caveat is that the item can be anything (a rune, a tome, a weapon, or a water demon), and it can be anywhere.

The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
The item you are looking for is right under the mast (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

Here’s how you can find the magical item:

1) Swim towards the submerged mast of the ship.

Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Open the chest to get the magic item (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

2) Once you have reached the spot, dive down towards the upper deck area to find a locked chest.

3) Open the chest and you will find the following items:

  • The old Ways of the Druids
  • Ball Lightning scroll
  • 2x Steel
  • 3x Lockpick
  • 2x lab flask
Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Return the book to Myxir (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

The old Ways of the Druids book is the item you are looking for. Simply return to Myxir, who will be near the shore and give him the book to get +300 Experience Points.


Return to Lee

Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)
Lee will make you a Mercenary after completing the quest (Image via Alkimia Interactive)

After giving the book to Myxir, report back to Lee at the New Camp to conclude the quest (and you will also get +700 Experience Points). Lee will officially make you a Mercenary and give you a new set of armor.

If you want to improve the armor, you will need to visit Torlof. He can often be found standing just below the location of Gorn in the New Camp.


Check out our other guides on Gothic 1 Remake:

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