Carlo Ancelotti’s magic touch was put to the test as Brazil faced Morocco in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. After falling behind to Ismael Saibari’s stunning opener, the Brazilian coach relied on Vinícius Júnior to prevent an embarrassing defeat for the five-time champions.
Throughout an engaging first half, Brazil struggled to keep pace with a Morocco side led by the impressive 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi. The atmosphere in Times Square was electric as fans draped in yellow and red eagerly anticipated the clash. It was Júnior, often criticized for his international performances, who finally provided a spark for Brazil’s supporters.
Scoring his 10th goal for the national team in his 50th appearance, Júnior’s contribution was crucial, especially with Neymar sidelined due to injury. Despite their talent, Brazil showed vulnerabilities in certain areas, which Morocco exploited effectively. The North African side, who made history by reaching the semi-finals in 2022, nearly clinched victory as Alisson made a critical error late in the match. Ancelotti’s adjustments at halftime did lead to an improved performance, but it was clear he had much work ahead to prepare his team for the challenges of the tournament.
“This was a tough match especially in the beginning. The team was a bit anxious, nerves were all over the place. I think we have to reassess what we did in this match. But we can’t lose heart – you don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.” Ancelotti stated candidly. “The players are disappointed because they wanted to win,”
Following Walid Regragui’s departure, Mohamed Ouahbi took the helm of the Moroccan squad in March. After leading the Under-20 team to victory in the World Cup, he promised to maintain their competitive spirit. Bouaddi, who recently chose to represent Morocco over France, only received his fourth cap in this match, yet his performance was mature beyond his years.
“In the second half, the rhythm dropped but that is understandable against a team of this quality,” Ouahbi commented. “In the second half, the rhythm dropped, but that is understandable against a team of this quality.”
Since their exit from the last World Cup, Brazil has seen over 90 players called up, though Ancelotti has shown more consistency in his selections. However, his choice to play Roger Ibañez at right-back raised eyebrows, as the player typically operates as a central defender, and Morocco clearly sought to exploit this mismatch from the outset.
Morocco quickly took the offensive, with Noussair Mazraoui advancing from the left and Neil El Aynaoui having an early shot blocked. Brazil struggled to establish their rhythm until Júnior created an opportunity, setting up Igor Thiago, who unfortunately failed to connect properly with his header.
In a moment of brilliance, Brahim Díaz sparked the first goal for Morocco. Initially, there appeared to be little threat when he retrieved the ball in his half, but a brilliant pass found Saibari, who lobbed the ball over a stranded Alisson. It was a deserved lead for the Moroccans.
Had Achraf Hakimi opted to pass to Díaz instead of shooting moments later, Brazil’s situation could have worsened. However, just as Brazil seemed on the brink of defeat, Júnior responded by receiving a pass from Bruno Guimarães on the byline and firing a shot past Yassine Bounou from a difficult angle, much to the relief of the Brazilian fans.
Bounou was called into action again, making a crucial save to deny Lucas Paquetá’s volley just before halftime. With both Casemiro and Ibañez receiving yellow cards, Ancelotti recognized the need for change and brought on Fabinho and Danilo for the second half, resulting in a more organized Brazilian side.
As Ancelotti made further changes, including introducing Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Morocco continued to defend resolutely. Ouahbi’s decision to substitute Díaz suggested a willingness to settle for a draw, while Brazil pressed for a late winner. Their best opportunity came during the 10 minutes of stoppage time, but Bounou thwarted Luis Henrique’s effort, leaving Ancelotti frustrated. Perhaps international management is more challenging than it appears.
