Vinicius Jr Saves Brazil from Morocco's FIFA World Cup Defeat
Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr spared Brazil the embarrassment of defeat in an opening FIFA World Cup match for the first since 1934 as his spectacular solo goal earned a draw for the five-time winners against African champions Morocco in their Group C opener at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, June 14th, 2026.
In the slightly more forgiving temperatures of New York, Morocco got off to a blistering start when Brahim Diaz picked up a loose ball in midfield to thread a perfect pass between two of the best centre-backs in world football - Gabriel and Marquinhos - towards Ismael Saibari.
The midfielder collected, settled his nerve, and stood up Alisson before dinking the ball over him. It was a real show of composure and class from World Cup 2022's surprise package - still the most successful African nation in the history of the tournament.
But Brazil's brilliance is rarely outshone; their squad so overcrowded with difference-makers. Vinicius Junior was the one to stand up to the pressure on this occasion, as the wondrous winger exchanged passes with Bruno Guimaraes and cut inside to shape a lovely strike into the top corner against the run of play to save Brazil's remarkable 92-year unbeaten record in opening matches of the World Cup.
Brazil's last World Cup game on US soil was also a forgettable performance, the only final to finish 0-0 after 120 minutes before they defeated Italy on penalties in 1994.
Now, 32 years on from that game in Pasadena, the Selecao are led by a foreign manager at the tournament for the first time as they look to win the World Cup for only the second time since then.
Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, and have turned to the hugely successful Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end the country’s title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament.
Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Brazil was without Neymar for the start of the competition, with Brazil’s all-time record goal scorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his players not to fear Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate as the 2022 semifinalists started brightly in one of the standout matches of the first round.
Brazil and Morocco are the only top 10 teams to meet in the first round of the expanded 48-nation tournament, and on evidence here, there will not be much to separate them when all is said and done.
Scotland, meanwhile, then took advantage of the points dropped by edging Haiti 1-0 later on Sunday.
Scotland won their first match at a World Cup finals in 36 years as John McGinn's deflected winner sealed a 1-0 victory against Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Boston sending them to the top of Group C on Sunday, June 14th, 2026.
What's next for both of these teams?
Scotland, who defeated Sweden 2-1 at Italia '90 in their last World Cup win via a Maurice Johnston winner in Genoa, return to Boston to face Morocco on on 19 June, Friday night, while Brazil take on Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on 20 June.