Vinícius rescues Brazil as Morocco announce themselves in 1-1 opener

Vinícius Júnior cancelled out Ismael Saibari's opener as Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco at MetLife Stadium — the African champions going toe-to-toe with the five-time winners in the tournament's marquee opener.

The World Cup's blockbuster opener lived up to its billing, with Brazil and Morocco sharing a 1-1 draw in front of 80,663 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — a result that says as much about Morocco's standing in world football as it does about Brazil's stuttering start.

It was the African side who struck first. In the 21st minute Ismael Saibari found space and finished smartly to put Morocco ahead, sending a roar through a stadium packed with travelling support and silencing the five-time champions.

Brazil needed their talisman, and Vinícius Júnior delivered. On 32 minutes he exchanged passes with Bruno Guimarães on the left, shifted the ball onto his right foot and rifled a shot past the outstretched arm of Yassine Bounou to level the contest.

From there it was a test of nerve. Brazil pressed for a winner but found Bounou in commanding form, while Morocco — semi-finalists in 2022 and no longer anyone's underdog — defended with the composure of a side that belongs at this level. Neither could find a second.

The draw leaves Group C finely poised and underlines a shift that has been building for years: Morocco can go toe-to-toe with the very best and walk away with their heads high. For Brazil, a point against opposition of this quality is no disgrace, but the favourites will know they must sharpen up.

For Kenyan and African fans, this was the headline act — the continent's flag-bearers holding the most decorated nation in World Cup history, on the biggest stage of all.