Carlo Ancelotti said nerves dragged Brazil through the first half as Vinicius Junior admitted Brazil started on a “really bad note” after a 1-1 draw with Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener at MetLife Stadium.
Brazil’s World Cup opener didn’t come with the usual comfort of momentum. It came with tension, messy early stretches, and the kind of moment that lingers long after the final whistle.
At MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco—ranked sixth and seventh respectively—played out a 1-1 draw in their Group C opener before 80. 663 spectators. The result came with a strange feeling: Brazil didn’t lose. extending an unbeaten World Cup opener run to 21 matches (17 wins) since their 1934 loss to Spain—but they started so poorly that their own leaders had to address it immediately.
Carlo Ancelotti didn’t dress it up. He said nerves affected his team in the first half, adding that the second half was better but that Brazil would analyze the poor start before their next fixture against Haiti.
“I think it was a tough match, especially in the first half,” Ancelotti said.
“Maybe the team was a bit anxious, and the nerves were all over the place. The second half was better, but it was still tough, and I’m sure we’ll get better.”
Vinicius Junior echoed the same discomfort from the front line. Through a translator, the Real Madrid winger said Brazil had to do more with the ball after the early damage.
“We started on a really bad note,” Vinicius said. “For certain, we got to hold on to the ball. We have to move better.”
Morocco made that early warning count. They struck first in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari finished a move created by Brahim Diaz, who split the Brazil defence with a precise through ball. Saibari ran onto it and lifted a chip over Alisson Becker.
Morocco began with promise in that opening phase. Ayyoub Bouaddi—playing for Lille—broke up play and drove forward from deep midfield as Brazil struggled to settle.
Brazil’s response arrived in the 32nd minute, just 11 minutes after Morocco’s opener. Vinicius combined with Bruno Guimaraes on the left flank. created space with close control. cut inside past defenders. and fired a right-footed strike into the top corner beyond Yassine Bounou. It was Vinicius’s 10th international goal.
Before halftime, Brazil still had to survive a few anxious moments. Lucas Paqueta attempted an acrobatic effort that was saved by Bounou. Bounou also denied Raphinha from a cut-back.
Alisson Becker did the job again after that. He blocked a Neil El Aynaoui effort and then smothered Ayoube Amaimouni’s follow-up in added time.
The second half never quite caught fire. Both sides made multiple substitutions, and the tempo slowed with fewer clear chances.
One name missing from the squad made the night feel even more unsettled: Neymar did not play as he was recovering from a torn right calf.
Brazil and Morocco now turn quickly to what comes next. Ancelotti’s message was direct: the match might have ended level, but the opening stretch has to be understood and corrected ahead of Brazil’s next fixture against Haiti.
Brazil vs Morocco Carlo Ancelotti Vinicius Junior Ismael Saibari Brahim Diaz Alisson Becker Yassine Bounou Neymar FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C MetLife Stadium
So they tied Morocco and still look nervous? That’s wild, halftime jitters like it’s high school.
Ancelotti blaming nerves in the first half… okay but like Morocco scored first for a reason. Also who even schedules a “World Cup opener” in New York like that lol
Vinicius said they started on a bad note and “have to hold on to the ball” but then they still drew? Seems like they’re making it sound scarier than it was. They were unbeaten 21 openers?? maybe the nerves don’t matter.
“Next fixture against Haiti”?? I thought Haiti was not even in the World Cup, so now I’m confused. But yeah Brazil always acts like the first half is practice and the second half is when they wake up… unless the nerves just never go away.