Carlo Ancelotti stood on the sideline in New Jersey, arms folded, watching his Brazil side get carved open by Morocco’s slick passing and relentless energy. For 30 minutes, the five-time world champions looked nothing like the joga bonito teams of old. They looked stiff, disjointed, and — frankly — second-best.
Then Vinicius Jr did what he does. A half-cleared pass sat up on the left edge of the box. He set himself, took one touch, and lashed a laser into the top corner past Bono. The stadium erupted. Brazil had life. But the equalizer — however gorgeous — papered over cracks that Ancelotti still hasn’t figured out how to fix.
The midfield that won’t move
Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta looked overrun in the middle of the park. Morocco’s midfield trio of Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi, and Brahim Diaz moved the ball quickly and intelligently, leaving Brazil’s duo chasing shadows. The first half was a masterclass in how to unsettle a supposedly superior opponent. El Khannouss in particular tormented defender Roger Ibanez, twisting and turning him inside out on multiple occasions.
Morocco didn’t just hold their own — they dictated. Ismael Saibari gave them a deserved lead when he raced past Gabriel Magalhaes and delicately lifted the ball over Alisson. It was a goal that highlighted everything wrong with Brazil’s shape: a simple ball over the top, one defender caught flat-footed, and the Selecao were behind.
The cheat code in the No. 7 shirt
But Brazil still have Vinicius Jr. That’s the difference between a team that flirts with disaster and one that can still win a World Cup. He can turn a bad performance into a draw or a win with one moment. His goal was pure quality — the kind of finish that leaves goalkeepers motionless and opposition fans shaking their heads.
Vinicius’ speed on the counter-attack, especially in the heat (temperatures hit 30°C in East Rutherford), could become one of the tournament’s most dangerous weapons. One break in the second half saw Raphinha drag a shot wide when a square pass would have put Vinicius through on goal. Those are the margins that define tournaments.
Romário and Bebeto comparisons — and why they don’t fit yet
Ancelotti has drawn comparisons between this Brazil side and the 1994 team that won in the United States. That group leaned on Romário and Bebeto to mask structural flaws and grew into the tournament. This team is being asked to do the same. But the full-back positions remain a glaring weakness. Ibanez and Danilo Santos both struggled. Noussair Mazraoui overlapped at will. Achraf Hakimi beat Vinicius for pace on several occasions.
There’s talent everywhere in this squad — and Neymar Jr remains a wildcard who could be unleashed later in the tournament — but balance is missing. “Without talent you cannot win, but balance is also very important,” Ancelotti admitted after the match. It’s a truth that will haunt him unless he finds a solution fast.
Morocco proved they belong
Hakimi called Morocco “the Brazilians of Africa” before the tournament. Against Brazil, they looked the part. Diaz’s flicks and El Khannouss’s vision kept Brazil on the back foot. Only their own wastefulness — Saibari missing a clean connection, Hakimi botching a counter-attack — stopped them from taking all three points.
But they also faded in the second half, and Brazil nearly stole it late. Danilo dragged a finish wide, and Alisson saved a bending drive from El Aynaoui before smothering the rebound. Those were Morocco’s only shots on goal after the 31st minute. Points shared. Questions unanswered.
Brazil will face Haiti and Scotland next. The group stage gives Ancelotti room to adjust. But if the full-backs keep getting exposed and the midfield keeps getting overrun, Vinicius Jr won’t be able to bail them out every time.
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