89 min Morocco wraps up its substitutions, introducing Soufiane Rahimi in place of Saibari. The PSV forward has made a significant impact, consistently challenging Brazil’s central defenders since scoring the opening goal.
87 min Both teams may feel that a draw suffices today, as they could anticipate favorable outcomes against Haiti and Scotland. The past few minutes have seen this match resemble the infamous dead rubber games often witnessed in the final group stage fixtures.
Since the last drinks break, both sides have taken a few speculative shots, but neither goalkeeper has faced any substantial threats.
84 min Bono is on the ground, receiving treatment for a shoulder knock inflicted by Raphinha.
First the ankle, now the shoulder. What’s next for Bono, some Vertigo?
82 min An emphatic fist pump follows a sliding tackle that forces a goal kick from Bouaddi, who has delivered a remarkable performance despite being in the demographic targeted by ishowspeed. Quite an impressive debut at the World Cup.
79 min Morocco makes further substitutions, yet Bono remains on the pitch. Mazraoui has exited after a solid showing at left back, and El Khannouss has been substituted as Chemsdine Talbi and Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab make their World Cup debuts.
Brazil also makes a change: Danilo Santos replaces Guimaraes, the player who assisted the equalizer.
78 min With just 12 minutes left, both teams have a chance to disrupt Scotland’s hopes of topping Group C today. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind seeing that happen…
Vini Jr. attempts to cross to Raphina, who shoots directly at Bono. The goalkeeper seems slow to recover from what appeared to be a routine save. Is it gamesmanship or a genuine issue with his lower left leg?
76 min The match attendance is recorded at 82,500, marking a full house for the tournament’s opening match at the venue that will host the final.
74 min Friend of FIFA, ishowspeed, makes a brief visit to greet PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, shortly after receiving criticism from Zlatan and Thierry Henry regarding his limited knowledge of the sport.
Just as the camera cuts away, he seems ready to show his abs to another attendee in the luxury boxes. Probably for the best.
72 min After the drinks break, Morocco has displayed more urgency, with Talbi executing a clever spin before Sabari’s shot is blocked by a defender and ruled offside. The reigning semifinalists are effectively repositioning their defensive line to thwart Brazil’s efforts to secure a winning goal.
71 min Neymar appears to be taking on a coaching role along the sidelines, signaling for players to position themselves as he believes they should. His backward cap makes it somewhat difficult to take him entirely seriously; he still looks like a 19-year-old.
Reader Michael expresses concerns about Brazil’s ability to compete with younger talents like Bouaddi in midfield…
“Ancelotti exchanging 34 year old Casemiro for (still only!) 32 year old Fabinho at halftime. Are the two of them are on a government sponsored job share program for the summer?”
Brazil’s political leaders have already affected squad decisions, with Ancelotti seeking advice from the president regarding Neymar. Carlo may need to keep rotating his veteran midfielders early in the tournament, although it’s likely Casemiro will remain a starter until he receives a second yellow card.
68 min A second drinks break gives me a chance to enjoy more of my sugar-free cola…
67 min Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old midfielder, deserves recognition for holding his own against the formidable Brazil. He has performed impressively thus far, even as the match begins to turn a bit rough.
64 min Fabinho leaves the pitch with a convincing vampire look, having blood around his mouth, heading for treatment to avoid staining his bright yellow jersey.
Morocco finally makes substitutions, bringing in Chemsdine Talbi and Samir El Mourabet for Brahim Diaz and a puzzled-looking Ounahi. Brahim’s tournament start has been disappointing, especially following his unsuccessful Panenka in the AFCON final.
62 min Brazil also makes changes, with Paqueta and Igor Thiago departing. Matheus Cunha now leads the attack, while Luiz Enrique takes over for Paqueta as Ancelotti aims to inject energy into the game.
Brazil has only one substitution left, while Morocco has yet to alter its lineup.
60 min Both teams are committing tactical fouls as the match unfolds. Currently, the game is limited to edge-of-box play, but chaos has yet to fully erupt.
Brazil enters this match boasting an impressive 17-3-0 record in World Cup openers. Will Morocco defy this trend, or can Brazil secure another favorable outcome?
Reader Russell shares his thoughts on Carlo Ancelotti’s stylish new look…
I appreciate the refined, sophisticated Ancelotti. During his tenure at Chelsea, he often appeared disheveled, with biscuit crumbs on his jacket. Now, he looks like a man of Copacabana.
He’s aging like a fine wine, that Don Carlo…
54 min Morocco has dropped its defensive block significantly deeper compared to the first half, attempting to venture into the attacking third with rare possession. However, they create panic by sending a backpass directly to Vini Jr.
Hakimi manages to recover the ball before Vini can shoot, but Brazil has started this half much stronger than the previous one.
53 min Vini Jr. displays some nimble footwork but finds no yellow shirts in the box to pass to. Igor Thiago and Raphina have struggled to make an impact against Morocco; perhaps youthful talents like Endrick or Rayan could provide Vini with the support he needs.
On the other hand, a quick throw from Brazil finds Igor Thiago in the box before Morocco can react, but Bono manages to parry his shot away. This half is finally gaining intensity…
49 min Guimaraes narrowly avoids a yellow card after stepping on Hakimi’s boot. Ancelotti is seen chewing gum and wearing stylish glasses, showcasing his intellectual side.
48 min The second half resembles the first: Morocco continues to exploit the flanks when they gain possession, while Brazil appears more comfortable in central areas.
46 min The game resumes in Jersey.
Brazil makes two substitutions, with Ancelotti withdrawing Casemiro and Ibañez after they received yellow cards in the first half. Fabinho takes up a midfield role, and Danilo fills in at right-back.
Reader Oliver shares a wise observation that I wholeheartedly endorse…
‘o the Copacabana. Aging like a fine wine, that Don Carlo… 54 min Morocco has dropped its defensive block considerably deeper compared to the first half and tried to get into the attacking half with some rare possession. Instead, they create their own fire drill by sending a backpass directly to Vini Jr. Hakimi able to get the ball back before Vini can fire, but Brazil have been far stronger to start this half than the last one. 53 min Some nimble footwork on the ball from Vini Jr finds absolutely nobody in yellow alongside him in the box. Igor Thiago and Raphina have really struggled to threaten Morocco…perhaps the youthful ingenuity of Endrick and/or Rayan and offer Vini an outlet. Then again, a quick throw by Brazil finds Igor Thiago in the box before Morocco can react, but Bono parries his shot away. This half is finally heating up… 49 min Guimaraes a bit lucky to avoid a yellow after stepping on Hakimi’
Reader David checks in from Guatemala, where storms seem to be brewing…
“If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from this World Cup so far it’s that a player wagging his finger at a ref means that the ref is 100% correct.”
It would be wonderful to see Guatemala make a long-overdue World Cup debut in the future. I had the pleasure of covering their Gold Cup quarterfinal win over Canada last summer in Minneapolis. The support for Los Chapines was immense that day, especially when Rubio Rubin equalized in the 69th minute!
Reader Emma reports from Morocco’s capital…
“Watching this in an obscure corner of Guatemala. The level of don’t give a f***ery is impressive. Understandable if you’re Guatemalan. But the funny thing is that there are lots of Americans here. But they are completely uninterested too. I don’t know what that says. Something.”
I’ve tried to keep this live blog at a volume level suitable for a library. I suspect a late winner might wake the kids up, though…
Tomorrow, the first matches will take place in Houston, but apparently, the number of soccer fans isn’t large in Texas, as Nick Ames reports…
Houston is hosting its first World Cup matches, but many local hardliners view the sport as secondary to their business interests. “Hi! I’m in Rabat, and the city is absolutely silent – no cars on the roads at all, every single person is watching this game. The chaos that will be unleashed if Morocco wins? I have no tv, and 2 sleeping kids next to me, so will be following along with you tonight, thanks!” states Jo, who has traveled from Dallas wearing a sequined stars and stripes dress. “You won’t find soccer fans here, we’re here for business,”
Your halftime expected goals (xG) tally, per FotMob: Brazil 0.85 – 1.22 Morocco.
Morocco has kept Alisson alert while sporting a “I don’t mind it, but I’m not remotely into it.” aesthetic. Vini’s goal originated from a 0.1 xG chance, while Saibari’s chip reflected a considerable 0.6 on the xG scale. It’s a high-quality chance when you’re halfway around the goalkeeper, I suppose.
Morocco dominated until the drinks break, after which play balanced out, with Vini Jr. doing his best to level the score before halftime.
It remains very much anyone’s game, truly living up to the expectations thus far.
45+3 min A near opportunity arises from the subsequent corner, as Raphinha’s inswinger is flicked on by Marquinhos (or was it Hakimi?). The ball drifts right in front of Igor Thiago, but the Brentford forward fails to react in time before it goes out of bounds.
45+2 min Bono finally has to make a save, as Paqueta’s deft side volley directs toward the goalkeeper’s left, prompting a diving stop.
45 min Four minutes of stoppage time have been announced.
43 min A fierce contest unfolds in the Brazilian attacking corner, where Mazraoui outmaneuvers Guimaraes. The resulting sequence ends with a tactical foul by Roger Ibañez, earning him a yellow card.
41 min New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani is shown on the Fox broadcast. This is unsurprising, given his proximity to the city and his prediction that Morocco will win the World Cup.
39 min Paqueta struggles to maintain possession just outside the box. The Fox broadcast mentions that this marks the first occasion Vini Jr has scored against Hakimi.
Is there a third goal possible before the halftime whistle?
37 min The game sees its first yellow card as Casemiro opts to intervene to halt a Morocco advance into the final third, deviating from the previously discussed hip-checking approach.
36 min Morocco appears content to let Brazil control possession for a while, attempting to re-establish their defensive solidity as Brazil searches for a second goal. The physicality of the match has been notable with under ten minutes remaining until stoppage time.
After a few lackluster performances in previous tournaments, Vini Jr. makes a significant impact to bring Brazil back into contention. Morocco momentarily lost focus after the Real Madrid player passed to Bruno Guimarães, allowing Vini to dart unmarked to the flank. His quick cut into the box and well-placed shot proved too powerful for Bounou to handle.
Remarkably, this marks just his 10th goal for Brazil in 50 caps. It’s bound to be his favorite if Brazil can build on this.
There he is! And the majority of the crowd has come alive!
30 min Brazil needs to awaken, as Morocco’s relentless pressing and ball retention continue to pose challenges. A couple of blocked shots by Brazil led to a tame effort from Diaz, which rolled comfortably to Alisson.
However, Brazil’s attempts to penetrate the midfield quickly resulted in another turnover. The South American supporters are audibly frustrated as Hakimi sends a shot into the stands.
