Brazil failed to begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with a victory, settling for a 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. After the match, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti offered an honest assessment of his team`s performance.
The five-time world champions suffered an early setback when Morocco`s Ismail Saibari opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Brazil responded through a brilliant goal from Vinicius Junior, who restored parity for the Seleção. However, the Brazilians looked disjointed and came under significant pressure throughout much of the first half.
Speaking after the game, Ancelotti admitted that his side had made a poor start. He said the team appeared nervous, gave away possession too easily, and lost several key duels. According to the Italian coach, Brazil struggled in the opening half, although there were clear signs of improvement after the break.
Despite the disappointing result, Ancelotti was not entirely dissatisfied. Describing Morocco as a strong opponent, he said, "The first World Cup match is always difficult. No one wins the tournament here. The result is not terrible, but we need to improve."
The veteran coach is now expecting a stronger performance in Brazil`s next match against Haiti. He stressed the importance of identifying the team`s weaknesses, addressing them quickly, and restoring balance to their overall play.
Ancelotti also expressed his satisfaction with Vinicius Junior`s display. He described the forward as the most dangerous player on the pitch and believes he can play a crucial role for Brazil throughout the tournament.
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