Real Madrid · Community Shield · Midfielder · #10 · Morocco · 26 yrs
Ismael Saibari and Vinicius Junior scored the first goals for Morocco and Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the opening match of Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil are facing Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ismael Saibari opened the scoring, while Vinicius Junior found the equalizer. In the opening stages, Morocco surprised Brazil by controlling possession and dictating play, allowing them to create several scoring opportunities and put their opponents under pressure. The African side’s biggest strengths were their speed in pressing and closing down space to quickly recover possession, as well as their patience and intensity on the ball. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui and Azzedine Ounahi were instrumental in executing that game plan. In that context, in the 21st minute, Brahim Diaz delivered an excellent pass to Ismael Saibari, who found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Alisson and calmly lifted a delicate finish over the Liverpool player. SAIBARIIIII 🇲🇦Take another look at his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal pic.twitter.com/EDczIyOcEM— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026 Vinicius makes the difference Brazil appeared stunned by Morocco’s goal and struggled to respond after conceding. However, when they needed it most, their biggest star stepped up to rescue them and bring the match back level. In the 32nd minute, a pass from Bruno Guimaraes found Vinicius Junior in space on the left wing. The Real Madrid winger controlled the ball, cut inside and, after beating a defender, unleashed a brilliant right-footed strike that left goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with no chance. VINI JR. IS LOCKED IN 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/fnOPbM9WAO— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026 How many goals has Vinicius scored at the World Cup? Saturday’s goal against Morocco was, of course, Vinicius Junior’s first goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he was also part of Brazil’s squad at Qatar 2022. There, the Real Madrid winger scored one goal, finding the net in a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Round of 16. In total, Vinicius has made 50 appearances for the Brazil senior national team since his debut in 2019, across friendlies, World Cup matches, South American qualifiers and Copa America tournaments. Saturday’s strike was his 10th international goal, and he has also recorded nine assists.
Brazil will face off against Morocco in their opening FIFA World Cup group-stage match. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Brazil vs Morocco on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Brazil vs Morocco WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT • Saturday, June 13, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Brazil enters the 2026 tournament on a mission to reclaim its global dominance after a difficult qualification campaign. The five-time champions are desperate to end a title drought stretching back to 2002. This opening match against a formidable Moroccan side at MetLife Stadium is their first major test, setting the tone for their entire campaign and offering a chance to make a powerful statement from the outset. Morocco, meanwhile, arrives as one of the world’s most improved teams. After a historic semi-final run in 2022 and a recent Africa Cup of Nations title, the Atlas Lions are no longer underdogs. Ranked eighth in the world, just two spots behind Brazil, they have the talent and tactical discipline to challenge the very best. This clash is a chance to prove their elite status and secure a vital result in a tough group. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This match promises a classic clash of styles. Brazil, under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, will look to dominate possession and use the individual brilliance of its wingers to break down defenses. During qualifiers, they thrived on territorial control, averaging over 62% possession. However, their aggressive attacking posture has left them vulnerable to counter-attacks, a weakness they must manage carefully. Morocco is expected to revert to the disciplined, low-block defensive strategy that served them so well in Qatar. They excel at absorbing pressure and launching swift counters, a tactic that famously frustrated top European sides. With the speed of Achraf Hakimi and the creativity of Brahim Díaz, their transitions are a significant threat. Their ability to remain compact and exploit any space left by Brazil will be key to the outcome. For both teams, avoiding an opening-day defeat is the primary objective. With Scotland and Haiti rounding out the group, this fixture is arguably the most challenging for both sides. A draw would be a satisfactory result for either manager, positioning them well for qualification to the knockout stages. Expect a cautious, highly tactical battle where a single moment of brilliance could decide the result. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, Brazil and Morocco have only met once in an official competition. That encounter took place during the 1998 World Cup group stage in France, where a star-studded Brazilian side featuring Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Bebeto secured a comfortable 3-0 victory. However, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically since then. A more recent friendly in March 2023 offers a different perspective, with Morocco stunning Brazil with a 2-1 win in Tangier. That result signaled the narrowing gap between the two nations and serves as a reminder that Morocco is more than capable of competing with the South American giants. Brazil‘s overall record against African teams in the tournament is strong, with seven wins and just one loss in eight matches, but that sole defeat came against Cameroon in 2022. Brazil boasts an impressive 20-3 goal difference against CAF opponents in past tournaments, but recent trends suggest a tighter affair is likely. Morocco‘s defense was the best at the 2022 tournament, keeping four clean sheets. Given the high stakes of an opening match, both teams are expected to prioritize defensive solidity, making a low-scoring game a strong possibility. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both squads head into this crucial opener with significant injury concerns affecting key players. For Brazil, the prim
In Morocco's most recent friendly match, Abde Ezzalzouli had to be substituted due to an injury. A few hours later, the 24-year-old star was reportedly diagnosed with a sprain of the medial collateral ligament. As a result, he is expected to miss the 2026 World Cup. Morocco have managed to become one of the best national teams in Africa, building a promising roster. However, Abde Ezzalzouli had to be substituted in the previous match against Norway, raising concerns among everyone. A few hours later, the 24-year-old star was reportedly diagnosed with a sprain of the internal knee ligament, leading to expectations that he will miss the 2026 World Cup. According to Hanif Ben Berkane, a well-known journalist from Morocco, Abde has been diagnosed with a sprain of the internal knee ligament. With a recovery timeline of 3–4 weeks, he is expected to miss the 2026 World Cup. As the national team’s most decisive player, his absence is a huge blow to their competitiveness in the tournament. Without the presence of Abde Ezzalzouli, most of Morocco’s attacking responsibilities would fall to Brahim Diaz. Although he does not possess the same change of pace, the 26-year-old star has proven capable of orchestrating the entire national team attack. Not only does he create opportunities for his teammates, but he also leads the team in terms of goal scoring. Facing Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in the 2026 World Cup, Abde’s absence could seriously limit Morocco’s chances. Without his change of pace and dribbling ability, they could struggle to impose their dominant style of play. Beyond his statistical contribution, the 24-year-old was a leader at the collective level, meaning his impact will be felt across the team, not just in the attacking phase. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli of Morocco is challenged by Gustavo Gomez of Paraguay. Morocco’s instability could take its toll at the 2026 World Cup Throughout the past few years, Morocco have managed to become one of the best national teams in the world. Not only did they impress at the 2022 World Cup, but they also won the Africa Cup of Nations, by decision of the Federation. However, the departure of Walid Regragui as head coach noticeably destabilized the sporting project. In addition, Abde Ezzalzouli’s injury could be the final blow to their hopes of shining at the 2026 edition. Without having the same key figures from their stellar project, the Atlas Lions now leave more doubts than certainties. Despite being among the favorites to surprise once again at the 2026 World Cup, they have undergone major changes within the national team that have halted their sporting rise. In addition, Soufiane Rahimi needs to step up to replace Abde, something far from simple given that he is one of the best wingers in Europe. Alongside Abde, Noussair Mazraoui could miss Morocco’s debut in the anticipated tournament against Brazil. Suffering from a shoulder subluxation, Youssef Belammari would take over the starting role, further weakening the left side. Because of this, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi faces the challenge of restoring competitiveness to a national team that has been heavily affected by injuries and changes within the coaching staff.
In a recent report, Fichajes mentioned that Manchester City are in pole position to re-sign Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz. It has been stated that the Mancunian giants are the favorites to acquire th...
