Full-time: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Morocco will be a bit happier with this result to reinforce their ambition to go a step further than they did in Qatar. Brazil hardly at their best, but Vini Jr was able to pull back a needed equaliser to keep his team from entering a state of panic.
Some soft smiles among Morocco’s players as they congregate with the coaches, while Brazil’s boys just look tired. A good and gritty contest!
Key events
Right then! Fans of Brazil and Morocco should bear in mind that the last World Cup champion lost to a lower-caliber opponent to open its campaign, so a credible draw is hardly a bad result to start the tournament.
That’s all from me and my sugar-free cola today. Thanks for following along, and enjoy Haiti-Scotland when it kicks off at the top of the hour!
Signing off from Sunset Boulevard – be sure to check out World Cup Daily in the morning for more on all the day’s games. You never know who will show up…
Ed Aarons
For large portions of an absorbing first half that hopefully set the tone for the rest of the tournament, Brazil found themselves chasing shadows as Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães struggled to contain a Morocco midfield anchored by the outstanding teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi. But after Times Square was transformed into a tapestry of yellow and red shirts on Friday night as both sets of fans warmed up for one of the most anticipated matches of the group stages, it was the Real Madrid forward who has been heavily criticised for failing to produce his club form on the international stage who gave the Brazil supporters something to celebrate.
Hakimi post-match:
“It was not easy. We play against a tough team in front of us, one of the favorites of the tournament. Proud of the effort of the team. We drew, but we’re proud of the efforts of our guys.”
Reader Peter (rhyme!) provides a Moroccan video supplement to his email…
“I was at the Carnaval in the Brazilian city of Salvador in 2006. Bono (the Irish rock band version) was a celebrity guest and made several appearances before the masses as he was feted by Brazilian artists. He seemed to be enjoying himself but struggled with the tropical heat.
With the exception of Vini’s scorcher, Bono the Moroccan football team version has handled today’s less torrid Brazilian fervor with composure. But anything can still happen. Football moves in mysterious ways.”
Indeed it does, Peter. For a Morocco side with aspirations to win it all, a draw means they still haven’t found what they’re looking for.
Reader Stephen focusing on the fine details as he awaits Scotland’s World Cup kickoff…
“Hi Jeff, Is there any explanation (or justification) for the fact that Morocco’s Issa Diop is wearing tights? I am messaging from Scotland and I’m quite tired so possibly I’m just hallucinating? Cheers”
While I’m not sure what you’ve ingested today regarding the hallucinations, Diop did rock tights quite often when playing for Fulham. Versus explained that it’s a decision rooted in faith, not fashion, as Diop is a practicing Muslim and adheres to awrah, the principle of modesty.
The more you know!
Reader Liisa didn’t quite get the expected outcome at the salon today…
“I happened to be in NYC today for a hair appointment at a Brazilian owned and staffed salon. We all switched our schedules to ensure we could watch the game later and their energy was contagious but otherwise around the city… lots of Knicks energy and no semblance of a World Cup host city atmosphere.”
For the good of the games along the East Coast and in Texas, Fifa must be hoping for the NBA Finals to reach a swift end tonight. Knicks lead 3-1, with game 5 in San Antonio tipping off in 20 minutes.
Reader Joe is concerned about my taste…
“If it’s not Diet Coke, I’m not sure we can be friends.”
It’s a cousin from the same Georgian family, albeit one trying to simulate the flagship version.
Reader Kári spotted some consistent issues with Ancelotti’s Brazil…
“The intricate passing patterns that the Moroccans weave as they try to break through the opposition defense are modern football at its most beautiful. Brazil has players who can score out of nothing, and if they could replicate some of what the Atlas Lions do as a team, they would be a serious force.”
Brazil looked a bit clunky in midfield, didn’t they? A bit inevitable given the personnel on offer. Six days between now and their second match, where they’ll catch Haiti after their impending date with Scotland.
Full-time: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Morocco will be a bit happier with this result to reinforce their ambition to go a step further than they did in Qatar. Brazil hardly at their best, but Vini Jr was able to pull back a needed equaliser to keep his team from entering a state of panic.
Some soft smiles among Morocco’s players as they congregate with the coaches, while Brazil’s boys just look tired. A good and gritty contest!
90+9 min NEARLY THERE FOR MOROCCO! El Aynaoui forces Alisson into a diving save to his left, but the Liverpool goalkeeper can’t contain it. Amaimouni-Echghouyab tried to tap in the loose ball, but Alisson managed to get one hand to it to force a corner.
Hakimi’s effort outswings beyond the box and nearly into the middle third. Half a minute left…
90+7 min Nervy moments for Brazil. Gabriel misplays a possible flick-on header back to his goalkeeper and opens his team up for a jailbreak, which Fabinho nullifies with a tactical foul just outside the final third. A Santos fan is shown on the broadcast in full prayer.
90+5 min Morocco seem to be of two minds about how to handle the remaining time. Half of the team looks desperate to keep in the final third, while the other is drifting towards the right corner flag or trying to recirculate to kill some clock.
A Moroccan corner awaits after Rahimi rolls the ball (and himself) off of Gabriel’s back… and it’s cleared for a Morocco throw-in.
90+3 min Brazil now with consecutive corners as they try to find a late winner, though Bono held the one dangerous effort by Danilo Santos. Still an awful lot of time remaining before either team can relax.
90 min Quite a big number for a scoreless half: 10 minutes of stoppage before Brazil and Morocco can head for the showers.
89 min The final sub is Morocco’s to make, with Soufiane Rahimi taking over for Saibari. A great shift for the PSV forward, who kept pressuring Brazil’s center-backs after scoring his opener.
87 min One could forgive both teams for thinking a draw will do today and back themselves to rack up favorable scorelines against Haiti and Scotland. Only over the past five minutes has this contest resembled the infamous dead rubber matches that usually haunt the final shifts of the group stage.
A couple speculative efforts by both teams since the drinks, though neither goalkeeper has been adequately threatened.
84 min Poor Bono now on the ground getting his right shoulder tended to after an honest knock from Raphinha.
First the ankle, then the shoulder. What’s next for Bono, some Vertigo?
82 min An emphatic fist pump after sliding to force a goal kick by Bouaddi, who has really impressed despite being of an age that’s right in ishowspeed’s target demo. Quite a precocious World Cup debut.
79 min A couple more changes for Morocco, though Bono isn’t among them. Mazraoui exits after a fine shift at left back while El Khannouss heads to the bench, with Anass Salah-Eddine and Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab making their World Cup debuts from the bench.
And a change for Brazil now: Danilo Santos in, Guimaraes off after assisting on the equalizer.
78 min 12 minutes left for either team to thwart Scotland’s suddenly realistic hopes of ending the day atop Group C. To be honest, I’d quite enjoy the sight of that…
Vini Jr. squares a cross to Raphina, who rolls an attempt right to Bono. The goalkeeper is a bit slow to get up from what looked to be a routine save. Is it gamesmanship or an actual issue with his lower left leg?
76 min Attendance: a sell-out to start the tournament at the eventual site of its final.
74 min Friend of Fifa ishowspeed has made a quick jaunt to shake hands with PSG chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi, less than a day after getting roasted by Zlatan and Thierry Henry about his lack of understanding the sport.
The camera cut away as he was about to show his abs to someone else in the luxury zones. For the best.
72 min Morocco are quicker off the mark following the drinks break, with a nimble spin by Talbi just before goalscorer Sabari is whistled off after clanging a shot off of a defender. The reigning semifinalists continue to move their defensive block up and down the field to thwart Brazil’s hopes of finding a winner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens
71 min Neymar is trying to do quite a lot of coaching along the sideline, trying to wave guys over to where he thinks they ought to be. It’s hard to take him entirely seriously in his backwards hat, as he still looks the 19-year-old kid.
Gulp gulp 2 Reader Michael wonders about how Brazil can keep up with youngsters like Bouaddi in the engine room…
“Ancelotti exchanging 34 year old Casemiro for (still only!) 32 year old Fabinho at halftime.
Are the two of them are on a government sponsored job share program for the summer?”
Brazil’s political leaders have already helped influence the squad a bit, with Ancelotti calling the president for counsel on what to do with Neymar. Carlo may need to keep rotating his veteran anchormen throughout these early stages, though I’d expect Casemiro to keep starting until he picks up a second yellow this summer.
68 min Time for a second drinks break, so I’ll make more progress on my sugar-free cola…
67 min Credit due to Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old midfielder who’s holding his own against oft-mighty Brazil. A very impressive shift so far by the teenager, though this game is starting to get a bit chippy.
64 min Fabinho with a convincing vampire impression as blood surrounds his mouth, heading off the pitch to get that taken care of to not stain his bright yellow shirt.
Morocco makes subs at last, with Brahim Diaz and a bemused-looking Ounahi exiting in lieu of Chemsdine Talbi and Samir El Mourabet. A bit of a disappointing start to the tournament for Brahim, who entered with much to prove after his poor Panenka late in the Afcon final.
62 min More Brazil subs, with Paqueta and Igor Thiago exiting. Matheus Cunha will now lead the line, while Luiz Enrique takes over for Paqueta as Ancelotti tries to create a spark.
Brazil now with just one sub remaining. Morocco has yet to change their personnel on the pitch.
60 min A bit of a masterclass in the tactical foul by both sides. This game is just about edge-of-box to edge-of-box, but still yet to really enter the realm of chaos.
Brazil enters this game with a nearly unblemished 17-3-0 record in World Cup openers. Will Morocco buck that trend, or can Brazil see out another result?
Reader Russell with more to say on a spectacled Carlo Ancelotti…
I like the new urbane, stylish Ancelotti. When he was at Chelsea he looked like a disheveled Harold Wilson: biscuit crumbs on his jacket, all sorts. Now – man ‘o the Copacabana.
Aging like a fine wine, that Don Carlo…
54 min Morocco has dropped its defensive block considerably deeper compared to the first half and tried to get into the attacking half with some rare possession. Instead, they create their own fire drill by sending a backpass directly to Vini Jr.
Hakimi able to get the ball back before Vini can fire, but Brazil have been far stronger to start this half than the last one.
53 min Some nimble footwork on the ball from Vini Jr finds absolutely nobody in yellow alongside him in the box. Igor Thiago and Raphina have really struggled to threaten Morocco…perhaps the youthful ingenuity of Endrick and/or Rayan and offer Vini an outlet.
Then again, a quick throw by Brazil finds Igor Thiago in the box before Morocco can react, but Bono parries his shot away. This half is finally heating up…
49 min Guimaraes a bit lucky to avoid a yellow after stepping on Hakimi’s boot. Ancelotti chomping on a wad of gum and donning some smart glasses, such an intellectual he is.
48 min Second verse, same as the first: Morocco rushing to the flanks whenever they get the ball, while Brazil seem more comfortable operating in the heart of the pitch.
46 min Off and trotting again in Jersey.
Two subs for Brazil, with Ancelotti hooking Casemiro and Ibañez after their first-half yellow cards. Fabinho will tuck into midfield, while Danilo deputizes at right-back.
Reader Oliver with a sage observation that I whole-heartedly endorse…
“If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from this World Cup so far it’s that a player wagging his finger at a ref means that the ref is 100% correct.”
Reader David checks in from Guatemala, where there appear to be some storms about…
“Watching this in an obscure corner of Guatemala. The level of don’t give a f***ery is impressive. Understandable if you’re Guatemalan. But the funny thing is that there are lots of Americans here. But they are completely uninterested too. I don’t know what that says. Something.”
Would love to see Guatemala make a long-awaited World Cup debut one of these cycles. I had the great pleasure of covering their Gold Cup quarterfinal win over Canada last summer in Minneapolis. An incredible amount of support for Los Chapines that day, and quite a moment when Rubio Rubin leveled things in the 69th!
Reader Emma reports from the Moroccan capital…
“Hi! I’m in Rabat, and the city is absolutely silent – no cars on the roads at all, every single person is watching this game. The chaos that will be unleashed if Morocco wins? I have no tv, and 2 sleeping kids next to me, so will be following along with you tonight, thanks!”
Have tried to keep this MBM at a volume level a librarian could love. I suspect a late winner might wake them up, though…
Nick Ames
Tomorrow will bring the first games from Houston, though apparently the share of soccer fans isn’t bigger in Texas, as Nick Ames reports…
Houston is making its debut as a World Cup host city but, in this bubble of largely hard-line activists drawn from some of the state’s furthest corners, football’s proximity is largely viewed as an irrelevance. “You won’t find soccer fans here, we’re here for business,” says Jo, who has travelled from Dallas and wears a sequin-heavy stars and stripes dress. “I don’t mind it, but I’m not remotely into it.”
Your halftime xG ledger, per FotMob: Brazil 0.85 – 1.22 Morocco.
Morocco keeping Alisson on his toes as he sports his “Tame Impala, but a jock” look. Vini’s goal came from a 0.1 xG chance, while Saibari’s chip registered a massive 0.6 on the xG charts. It’s a high-quality chance when you’re already halfway around the goalkeeper, I suppose
HALFTIME: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
All Morocco until the drinks break. More balanced thereafter, with Vini Jr doing his leading-man best to level things well before halftime.
Very much anybody’s game. It really has lived up to the billing thus far.
45+3 min A nearly effort on the ensuing corner, as Raphinha’s inswinger is flicked on by Marquinhos (or was it Hakimi?). The ball drifts right in front of Igor Thiago but the Brentford forward isn’t able to react before it fizzes out of bounds.
45+2 min Bono finally forced into a save, as Paqueta’s nimble side volley goes to the goalkeeper’s left for a diving save.
45 min Four minutes of stoppage time.
43 min Quite a scrap in the Brazilian attacking corner between Mazraoui and Guimaraes, which is won by the Manchester United defender. The ensuing sequence upfield ends with a tactical foul by Roger Ibañez, who is shown a yellow card for his work.
41 min New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani shown on the Fox broadcast. No surprise, both given the proximity to his city and his stated prediction that Morocco will win this World Cup.
39 min Paqueta unable to get the ball off his foot just outside the edge of the box. The Fox broadcast relays that this is the first time that Vini Jr has managed to score against Hakimi.
Is there a third goal to be scored before the break?
37 min A first yellow card of the game, as Casemiro opts to stick a foot in to stop a Morocco run into the final third rather than more of that aforementioned hip-checking routine.
36 min Now it’s Morocco who seems content to let the opponent handle possession for a bit, trying to re-establish their defensive stronghold as Brazil tries to find a second. Some very good hip-to-hip clashes out there, good physical football with under 10 minutes until stoppage time.
After a few subpar tournament showings, Vini Jr makes his mark to get Brazil back into this game. Morocco switched off after the Read Madrid man doled the ball off to Bruno Guimarães, and Vini scampered to the flank unmarked. His cut into the box was quick, and his shot was placed well with too much power for Bounou to catch up.
Remarkably, just his 10th Brazil goal in 50 caps. Bound to be his favorite if Brazil can build off of this.
GOAL! Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Vinícius Júnior 32′)
There he is! And the majority of this crowd has come to life!
30 min Brazil have to wake up, because Morocco are relentless with their pressing and ball retention at the moment. Two blocked shots by Brazil led to a tame effort by Diaz which rolled into Alisson’s loving embrace.
And yet, Brazil’s attempt to get into midfield immediately results in a turnover. The South American fans are audibly distraught as Hakimi shanks a shot into the crowd.
