Superb Vinicius Jr strike rescues Brazil during tense opener
Brazil narrowly preserved its legendary 92-year unbeaten record in World Cup opening matches after fighting back for a thrilling 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium. The high-octane Group stage fixture in New Jersey saw both football powerhouses trade blows in an absolute attacking showcase, leaving both sides to share a hard-earned point each.
Morocco, entering the tournament with high expectations as reigning continental kings, dominated the opening half-hour with relentless overlapping runs. Their pressure paid off in the 21st minute when Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz unlocked the Brazilian defense, feeding Ismael Saibari who fired a brilliant shot past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Historically, Brazil has not lost an opening World Cup match since falling to Spain in 1934, making this sudden deficit a massive test of their tournament resolve.
Vinicius Jr Steps Up Under Pressure
Five-time champions Brazil responded with typical championship composure just 11 minutes later. Talisman Vinicius Jr collected the ball on the left flank, cut inside past the Moroccan defenders, and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner to level the scoreline.
Second-half tactical adjustments saw both managers introduce fresh legs, with Brazil injecting Matheus Cunha and Luis Henrique to break the deadlock. Raphinha found himself with golden opportunities late in the game, but Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou produced crucial saves.
Deep into ten minutes of stoppage time, Alisson Becker secured the draw for Brazil by executing a dramatic double save against Neil El Aynaoui and Mohamed El Mourabet, ensuring both teams walked away with pride intact.
With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI
