Ismael Saibari clipped Morocco in front with a masterful finish in the Atlas Lions World Cup 2026 meeting with Brazil but Vinicius Junior curled the Selecao level as part of a pulsating start to both sides opening game of the tournament.Real Madrid livewire Brahim Diaz floated an incisive pass through the centre to find Saibari, whose composed strike beat advancing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to give the 2022 semi-finalists a 21st-minute lead in New Jersey. At his first World Cup match as a manager, Carlo Ancelotti pumped his fists on the sideline when Madrids Vinicius Junior collected a pass from Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, cut inside the box from the left and found the far corner of the net 11 minutes later.Knowing what he wants to do and stopping him are two different things, former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport of the 25-year-old.One thing you cannot do is let him come back inside onto that right foot, because hes in danger of putting it in the top corner. Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Vinicius Junior goal very specialBrazil vs Morocco analysis: Marquinhos, Gabriel sufferWorld Cup 2026: Brazil team vs MoroccoWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs BrazilWhere to watch Brazil vs Morocco: TV channel, live online streamWorld Cup 2026: Brazil vs Morocco statsWorld Cup 2026: Vinicius Junior goal very specialVinicius Juniors 10th Brazil goal came on his 50th international appearance to ease the fears of fans who Shearer said had been audibly angry and hurt at their players lack of responsibility on the ball.When youve been under huge pressure like Brazil have, you look to your star man to say bail us out here, because weve done nothing in this game, really, up until now, suggested the ex-striker.And all eyes are on him. Everyones looking at him to produce something very, very special, and he did just that.Brazil vs Morocco analysis: Marquinhos, Gabriel sufferBrazils centre-back pairing comprised Marquinhos, who won the 2025/26 Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, and Gabriel, who lost in the final with Arsenal.Neither could keep track of Eredivisie Player of the Season for 2025/26 Saibari, who surged through a sizeable gap vacated by the duo to score.Hes got the option to go around Alisson, because Alissons coming at him with pace, observed Shearer.But no. The belief and understanding and confidence to lift it over him just like that perfection. Its a brilliant goal, it really is.World Cup 2026: Brazil team vs MoroccoBrazil made two changes from their 2-1 win over Egypt in Cleveland on June 6. Full-back Wesley (adductor) withdrew from the squad earlier in the week and was replaced by Roger Ibanez, with Gabriel also coming in at the back for Leo Pereira, who moved to the bench.Defender Eder Militao (thigh), winger Willian Estevao (hamstring) and forward Rodrygo (knee) missed out on the finals through injury.Wesley was replaced in the squad by Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is poised to join Manchester United.All-time Brazil top scorer Neymar was a surprise inclusion after barely featuring at club level over the last three years because of injuries. The Santos striker was continuing his rehabilitation on an injured left calf.Brazil starting XI: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Roger Ibanez, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Igor ThiagoBrazil substitutes: Weverton, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Ederson Silva, Fabinho, Danilo Santos, Matheus Cunha, Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, RayanWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs BrazilMorocco made one alteration from their 1-1 draw with fellow World Cup participants Norway in Harrison last Sunday, bringing in Bilal El Khannouss for Abde Ezzalzouli, who is out of the tournament.Defender Nayef Aguerd missed out on the squad with a groin injury and forward Ezzalzouli withdrew after damaging a knee in a collision with teammate Chadi Riad against Norway.Angers forward Amine Sbai and veteran centre-back or midfielder Marwane Saadane, of Saudi side Al-Fateh, replaced the duo.Morocco starting XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim DiazMorocco substitutes: Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Marwane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah Eddine, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine, Soufiane Rahimi, Amine Sbai, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ayoube AmaimouniWhere to watch Brazil vs Morocco: TV channel, live online streamKick-off on Saturday was at 23:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.Fans can stream the action on a vast range of devices through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.World Cup 2026: Brazil vs Morocco statsBrazils 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final is the joint-biggest victory in a World Cup final with Pele scoring one goal and assisting two more along with Brazils 5-2 win against Sweden in 1958 and Frances 3-0 triumph over Brazil in the 1998 finalThe Selecao, Germany, Italy, and Argentina have collectively won 73% of all FIFA World Cup tournaments, claiming 16 of the 22 titlesThey are the only team to have taken part in every single World Cup since its original edition in 1930, with this their 23rd appearanceSince 1982, Brazil have topped their first-round group in every World Cup. They are also unbeaten in their last 20 opening matches at the finals, with 17 wins and three draws since a 3-1 defeat to Spain in 1934Ancelotti is at his first World Cup as head coach and is the first non-Brazilian to take charge of Brazil at the finals, although he played for Italy at the 1990 edition, taking part in three matches including the third-place game against England (2-1)That performance in 2022 by Morocco was the highest finish by any African nation in the tournament historyMidfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was France Under-21 captain until the midfielders switch to Morocco was approved in MayReigning African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi made more tackles (26) than any other player at the 2022 World Cup and recorded the second-most ground duels won (41)Born in Spain, Brahim Diaz top-scored at this years Africa Cup of Nations with five goals Before that run to the last four, Morocco had won two of their 16 matches at World Cup final tournaments Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Achraf Hakimi Alisson Becker Brazil National Football Team Bruno Guimaraes Casemiro FIFA World Cup Gabriel Magalh�es Gabriel Martinelli Morocco National Football Team Neymar Rodrygo Vinicius Jr Vinicius Junior World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Brazil v Morocco: World Cup 2026 commentary, updates, goals and stats as Saibari and Vinicius Junior score Jon Fisher 13th June, 2026 Neymar: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, results, kick off times, confirmed injury news updates, full Brazil squad Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Brazil vs Morocco confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats with Alisson, Gabriel, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha among starters Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland report, result, goals as Khoukhi header earns historic result and Neville lambasts ridiculous FIFA over VAR Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Qatar vs Switzerland Breel Embolo goal gives Nati lead with penalty as referee backs VAR on very, very tight offside check Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 England recover stolen training equipment ahead of World Cup opener Mitch Fretton 13th June, 2026
