Brazil and Morocco share the spoils in blockbuster World Cup clash

RIYADH: One of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage came to a close with neither side able to find a winner.

Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in front of a sell-out crowd at the MetLife Stadium, with Ismael Saibari and Vinicius Junior canceling each other out in the first half. But the frantic opening period left much to be desired in the second.

Morocco kicked off the Mohamed Ouahbi era at a blistering pace. For long spells of the opening exchanges, it looked as though the five-time world champions were not wearing yellow and blue, but red and green.

The Atlas Lions gave Brazil little room to breathe and almost capitalized on their early pressure, if not for a series of blocks from Gabriel Magalhaes.

After their energetic start, Morocco dropped into a 4-4-2 shape and allowed Brazil to enjoy more of the ball.

It was then that Vinicius Junior began to emerge, narrowly getting the better of Achraf Hakimi down the left flank before delivering a cross toward Igor Thiago, who could not direct his header on target.

But that shift in momentum ultimately led to the opening goal. In the 21st minute, Brahim Diaz threaded a pass through the Brazilian defense for Ismael Saibari, who caught Alisson off his line with a chip and calmly finished for the opener.

A hydration break immediately followed, but it did not halt Morocco’s momentum. Hakimi grew into a more attacking role, driving deep into Brazil’s half before unleashing a shot that went wide of Alisson’s goal.

Vinicius Junior had other plans, however. Just five minutes later, he received a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left flank before beating Neil El-Aynaoui and curling a crisp finish beyond Yassine Bounou to level the score.