Brazil 1-1 Morocco: Bouaddi and Vinicius shine, Casemiro struggles | OneFootball

Brazil and Morocco opened their World Cup with a 1-1 draw in New York, where 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi dazzled and Casemiro laboured. According to L'Équipe, Bouaddi’s debut display and Vinicius’s threat were the standout positives.

Vinicius first teed up Igor Thiago, who headed off target on 14. Morocco struck on 21, Ismael Saibari chipping Alisson after Brahim Diaz released him. Vinicius levelled on 32, cutting in from the left to drive in, and Casemiro was booked on 37 for halting El-Aynaoui.

Right back Ibanez endured a torrid half with Wesley out of the tournament, and was replaced by Danilo at the interval, who steadied the defence without pushing on. Casemiro, 34, was also withdrawn for Fabinho after a loose first period that included six defeats in nine duels and five turnovers.

Diaz, under the spotlight five months after his AFCON final panenka saga, was lively early and slipped Saibari through for the opener, then made way for Talbi on 65. Bouaddi, who chose Morocco after captaining France Under-21s, won nine of 14 duels, made six recoveries and drove play, looking a hub despite four caps.

Igor Thiago struggled to influence the game, managing only 16 touches before Cunha replaced him on 61 and knitted attacks better. Vinicius almost set up Raphinha on 78. For Morocco, Fulham defender Diop had the rockiest evening, with a cheap loss on 53 and an under-hit backpass on 83 that troubled Yassine Bounou.

Source: L'Équipe