Vinicius earns Brazil draw with Morocco

NEW JERSEY -- Vinicius Junior and Ismael Saibari scored first-half goals as Brazil and Morocco shared the points in their World Cup Group C opener on Saturday.

Morocco stunned the five-time world champion when Saibari finished a swift counterattack by chipping a shot over goalkeeper Alisson.

But Brazil equalized shortly after through Vinicius, who found space inside the box and rifled a shot into the far corner.

Morocco appeared more comfortable in the sweltering conditions early on, while Brazil struggled for cohesion in midfield and repeatedly gave away possession in dangerous areas.

Neil El Aynaoui almost put the reigning African champion ahead but his powerful long-range effort was blocked by Bruno Guimaraes.

Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi then flashed a ball across goal after another slick Morocco move.

It took until the 14th minute for Vinicius to make an impact. His cut-back from the left byline almost proved decisive but Igor Thiago failed to make clean contact with a free header inside the six-yard box.

Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute when Brahim Diaz slipped a pass into the path of Saibari, who dinked a shot over the onrushing Alisson.

Brazil continued to struggle and Hakimi again shot wide before blasting another effort over the crossbar.

Vinicius equalized against the run of play just after the half hour, combining with Guimaraes and cutting onto his right foot before curling a shot beyond Yassine Bounou.

The South American side almost went ahead in first-half stoppage time through Lucas Paqueta, whose acrobatic volley was pushed away by the Morocco goalkeeper.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti made two changes at the interval with Danilo replacing Roger Ibanez at right-back and Fabinho taking the place of Casemiro in midfield.

The moves appeared to provide much-needed equilibrium as Brazil began dictating terms and Morocco tired.

Raphinha almost gave his side the lead in the 69th minute but just failed to reach Guimaraes' probing cross from the right.

Substitute Matheus Cunha then released Vinicius with a 30-yard pass and the Real Madrid winger squared the ball for Raphinha, who shot straight at Bounou.

Brazil continued to press in stoppage time and Danilo Santos had a clear chance to break the deadlock but Bounou comfortably saved his angled effort.

But it was Morocco that went closest to scoring a winner, with Alisson pulling off a double save to deny El Aynaoui and Ayoube Amaimouni in the penultimate minute.