Brazil goal: Vinicius Jr (32) Morocco goal: Saibari (21)
Vinicius Jr and Ismael Saibari scored outstanding goals for Brazil and Morocco as two of the expected heavyweights traded blows in New York New Jersey.
The Group C meeting between the five-times winners and the Qatar 2022 semi-finalists – who became the first African nation to reach the last four – ended all square in front of a packed stadium.
Morocco stunned the Seleção when Brahim Diaz split the Brazil defence with a delightfully-weighted through ball which Saibari ran onto and lifted the ball beyond the on-rushing Alisson, although the lead did not last long.
There looked to be little danger when Vinicius Jr was fed by Bruno Guimaraes wide and deep on the left of the penalty box, but he cut back inside and unleashed a blistering right-foot effort which rocketed beyond the helpless Yassine Bounou.
Lucas Pacqueta attempted an acrobatic effort as half-time approached, but Bounou was equal to the challenge and dived to his left to push the ball away. And the veteran goalkeeper was well-placed again in the second period after Vinicius’ cut-back to Raphina. Alisson was equally alert in added time, diving to block a long-range effort from Neil El Aynaoui before reacting swiftly to smother Ayoube Amaimouni's follow-up.
This is the first match in which Vinicius Jr has scored for Brazil which has not ended in victory for the Seleção. The previous eight occasions all helped secure a win.
"I think we didn't start very well, I'm a little worried. We lost a lot of duels and possession, but we improved in the second half of a difficult match, because Morocco is a good team. In the first half, we had difficulty getting out of the pressure, we could have had more control. [Was I] Satisfied? Not really. I expected a better start. But things can happen. Now I'm going to focus on the next game." Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil coach
"The draw was fair because in the second half we managed to push them back. And, obviously, we had opportunities to score more goals. I think in this type of match we also have to be more clinical. If you have an opportunity, you have to take it, because that's how it works.” Danilo, Brazil defender
Sources: FIFA Official
