Vinicius Jr’s breathtaking strike spared Brazil the indignity of their first opening-game defeat at a World Cup since 1934, but the five-time champions were left with more questions than answers after a ragged 1-1 draw with Morocco at the New Jersey New York Stadium.
“I am not here to be the best player of the tournament,” the Real Madrid forward said on the eve of the game. “I am here to help Brazil get back to the top.” He backed up those words with a moment of pure individual brilliance in the first half, receiving Bruno Guimaraes’ pass on the left side of the penalty area, cutting back on to his right foot and lashing the ball into the roof of the net. It was a goal fit for the biggest stage – and it rescued his side from a huge hole.
“Vinicius Jr's wonder goal rescued Brazil from defeat but their ragged 1-1 draw with Morocco raised deep concerns.”
But the performance around that moment was deeply unconvincing. Trailing 1-0 after Ismael Saibari’s opener, Brazil were second best for long spells. Former England captain Alan Shearer, speaking to BBC Sport, called their display “ragged”. Gus Poyet, the former Uruguay and Chelsea midfielder, was blunter: “I was surprised how bad technically they were today. I don’t know if it was the pitch, maybe the pitch didn’t help, but they were missing simple passes that you would expect Brazilian players to do well.”
South American football expert Tim Vickery summed up the conundrum: “Ideally you want the team to make the stars, here you have a case of the star saving the team.” He added: “This is precisely why Brazil are so dangerous. How many teams can play that badly and still be in the game?”
Brazil, seeking a first World Cup triumph since 2002, were devoid of the swagger associated with Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Zico. This squad is overloaded with wingers but lacks numbers in midfield. Casemiro, 34, showed his age as he toiled in the heat before being replaced at half-time. Defender Roger Ibanez also failed to reappear for the second half as Carlo Ancelotti attempted to address the team’s shortcomings.
Supporters worried by this display should remember that Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their first game in Qatar four years ago and went on to become world champions. This expanded World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint. Brazil are still expected to progress from Group C, with games against Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June and Scotland in Miami on 24 June. But the cracks are visible – and only Vinicius Jr’s brilliance has papered them over.