'Vinicius Scores' Brazil Draws 1-1 with Morocco...Neymar Absent [2026 World Cup]

With ace Neymar absent, Brazil, aiming for their first World Cup title in 24 years, ended in a draw against Morocco in their opening match of the group stage at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

On June 14 (Korean time), Brazil played to a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the Group C opener held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

This match drew attention as the only group stage fixture where both teams were ranked in the top 10 of the FIFA world rankings. Brazil is currently ranked sixth, while Morocco—who made history as the first African team to reach the semifinals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup—holds the seventh spot.

Vinicius Junior of Brazil celebrates after scoring the equalizing goal to tie the match 1-1 in the first half of the Group C opening match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, on the 14th (Korean time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

The early stages of the match were dominated by Morocco. Applying intense pressure, particularly through Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute with a goal from Ismael Saibari.

Saibari received a penetrating pass from Diaz, threaded between Brazil’s central defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, and skillfully chipped the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker to find the back of the net.

Brazil equalized in the 32nd minute of the first half thanks to Vinicius Junior’s individual brilliance. After receiving a pass from Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius cut inside from the left side of the penalty area and fired a powerful right-footed shot past three defenders to level the score.

In the second half, Brazil increased their possession and kept up the offensive pressure but failed to score an additional goal. Morocco matched the perennial favorites Brazil throughout the contest, proving that their semifinal run at the last Qatar World Cup was no fluke.

Brazil will face Haiti in their second group stage match on the 20th, while Morocco will take on Scotland on the same day.

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