Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their opening Group C World Cup match at the New Jersey New York Stadium. Morocco took an early lead in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari chipped the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker following a pass from Brahim Diaz. Brazil equalized 11 minutes later through Vinicius Jr., who received a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the penalty area, cut back inside, and struck the ball into the roof of the net. The performance led to mixed reactions from observers and fans. Former England captain Alan Shearer described the Brazilian side as “ragged,” while South American football expert Tim Vickery noted that the team looked second best for long spells and appeared technically poor, missing simple passes. Conversely, some analysts highlighted Vinicius Jr.’s individual brilliance, with Joe Hart describing his goal as a “moment of quality” on a big stage. Brazil’s squad was noted to be overloaded with wingers while lacking numbers in midfield, and 34-year-old Casemiro was replaced at half-time after toiling in the heat. Manager Carlo Ancelotti, the first overseas coach to lead Brazil at a World Cup, apologized for the lacklustre performance in the stifling heat. He stated he was not satisfied and acknowledged the team needed to be more balanced and aggressive. Ancelotti attributed some of the issues to nerves and pressure, noting that the team did not keep much possession. He also addressed questions regarding his substitution patterns, stating he would not discuss individual players but intended to make changes to the lineup. Brazil is seeking its first World Cup title since 2002 and qualified for the tournament after a difficult campaign where they won only three of their first eight qualifiers. The team will face Haiti next in Philadelphia on June 19, followed by Scotland in Miami on June 24.