The first top-10 matchup of the 2026 World Cup both told us a lot and reminded us we know nothing at all. For most of the last hundred years, if Brazil and Morocco took the field, you'd know without a doubt who'd win. But these aren't the Seleção of previous generations.

Morocco came out early looking disciplined, while Brazil looked like 10 individual players, and while that might have worked in the past, not so in 2026. The Atlas Lions scored first on a deft chip by Ismael Saibari, stunning a primarily Brazilian crowd, before Vini Jr equalized 11 minutes later. Those were the only two goals of the match. Group C is a mud fight.

Here are the takeaways.

This is not your dad's Brazil

The primary takeaway from this game is that Brazil don't look like the world-beaters of the past. I can't claim to know what goes on in Carlo Ancelotti's mind, but there were selection choices, both in the squad and the lineup, that were questionable. Vinícius Júnior's moment of brilliance aside, there wasn't much dynamism around this team.

About that Vinícius Júnior goal

While I still think Folarin Balogun banking the ball into the top left and Gio Reyna's trivela are the best goals of the tournament so far, the Vinícius Júnior goal was a Vini Jr goal through and through. After a give-and-go, Vini cut back onto his right and sent the ball into the net unimpeded. Without his effort, Brazil likely would have lost this game.

VINÍ JR. GOLAZO! 🔥 The Brazilian star with the first half equalizer against Morocco. via @TelemundoSports

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— NBC Sports Soccer (@nbcsportsoccer.bsky.social) June 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM

Morocco has a youthful, stout midfield

Everyone in the Atlas Lions' starting midfield is 26 or younger: Brahim Díaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, and Ayyoub Bouaddi. These young phenoms outplayed Brazil's midfield so handily that Casemiro was yanked at halftime and Igor Thiago (though a winger) looked toothless.

Arsenal is said to be exploring a transfer for Bouaddi, and for good reason. The 18-year-old looked unafraid of the moment, running circles around the field with accurate passing and a handful of defensive contributions: tackles, touches, and recoveries.

So what happens

What'll be interesting to see is how this draw trickles down through the rest of the group stage. Neither Haiti nor Scotland will be an easy win, as none truly are at a World Cup. But the Scots in particular come into this tournament in good form.

In the end, I think this leaves Brazil looking a bit diminished, and the draw is certainly in Morocco's favor. Time will tell if the Seleção find a way to turn it around.

Saibari scores for Morocco, it's 1-0

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— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) June 13, 2026 at 5:27 PM