Bouaddi's midfield masterclass; Brasil starts World Cup with lacklustre performance

NEW JERSEY: A spirited Morocco left Brasil frustrated in the opening match of the World Cup on Sunday. The match ended in a draw with both teams scoring one goal each. Morocco showed glimpses of elite football from the start, and in no time, Ismail Saibari scored in the 21st minute, stunning the Brasil team and their millions of fans across the world. Brasil soon regained composure and equalised through a solo brilliance from Vinicius Junior. In the 32nd minute, Vinicius made a good touch of the deft pass from Pacqueta to cut inside the box, leaving the Morocco defender go the other way and then strike the ball to a top bin finish.

18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi pulled off a midfield masterclass on his debut at the World Cup stage. Bouaddi was calm with his passes while also getting back to defence and making crucial interventions at times against a lethal Brazilian forward lineup.

For a large portion of the game, Brasil were left scampering for the ball from Morocco. Captain Achraf Hakimi Mouh was another player who deserves praise for an equally brilliant game. Hakimi’s intelligent moves, including combining with the midfield to complete brilliant lay-offs, were threatening at times. If not for the bulwark of Brasil’s defence, Morocco could have easily bagged more than two and ended up creating a big upset in the tournament.

Vinicius Junior was adjudged the man of the match. Brasil's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team was a bit on edge against a tough side and raised the need to improve.