Vinicius earns Brazil draw with Morocco in World Cup opener

Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a tense 1-1 draw against Morocco, salvaged by a superb Vinicius Junior equaliser in New Jersey. The North Africans struck first after 21 minutes when Ismael Saibari latched onto a precise Brahim Diaz pass, sprinted between Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, and calmly chipped Alisson Becker. Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, showed no hesitation against the five-time champions.

Brazil, chasing a sixth title and led by Carlo Ancelotti in his long-awaited World Cup debut, struggled to impose themselves early. But Vinicius provided a moment of brilliance, cutting inside from the left before firing a powerful right-footed shot beyond Yassine Bounou.

The goal lifted Brazil, who pressed for a winner through Lucas Paquetá, Igor Thiago, Raphinha and Danilo, all denied by Bounou. Morocco nearly snatched victory late, but Alisson reacted sharply to a double chance. Brazil next face Haiti, while Morocco meet Scotland.