Ancelotti's Brazil Survives Scare From Saibari, Vinicius Equalizes

The debut of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of the Brazilian national team was marked by an early scare, as Morocco took the lead. Ismael Saibari, a midfielder for PSV Eindhoven, put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute with a delicate chip over goalkeeper Alisson. The assist came from Brahim Díaz, a Real Madrid player.

The goal came as a surprise to the Canarinha, who were facing a deficit just as the 2026 World Cup was kicking off its Group C action. The particularity of the Moroccan goal was highlighted, with both the assist provider (Díaz, born in Málaga) and the scorer (Saibari, born in Tarrasa) being Spanish-born players, adding an interesting subplot to the match.

However, Brazil quickly found its footing. Vinicius Jr. restored parity for Brazil just eleven minutes later, in the 32nd minute, with a brilliant individual play that showcased his skill and pace. The goal eased the tension for the Brazilian squad and their supporters, setting the stage for a more balanced contest.