Brazil's World Cup campaign got off to a worrying start on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their opening match. The five-time champions looked vulnerable at the back, struggled to create chances, and were overrun in midfield by an energetic Moroccan side.
Morocco took the lead in the first half when Brahim Diaz capitalised on a Lucas Paqueta turnover and sliced open Brazil's defence to set up Ismael Saibari. Brazil equalised through Vinicius Junior, but the performance raised serious questions about their ability to go deep in the tournament.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted after the match that the team can't be expected to be perfect from the start. "We can't expect the team to be perfect from the get-go. You don't win a World Cup based on your first match," the Italian said. But he acknowledged the need for significant improvement.
Brazil's defensive problems have been building for months. Since Ancelotti took over a year ago, the team has conceded 12 goals in 13 matches and let in at least one goal in each of their last six games. The full-back positions are a particular concern.
Ancelotti had already said in March that Brazil no longer has the attacking full-backs that defined their past — players like Carlos Alberto, Roberto Carlos, or Cafu. Roma's Wesley was ruled out with injury just before the tournament, leaving only two natural full-backs: Douglas Santos and Alex Sandro, both on the left. On the right, Ancelotti has had to use Danilo, a centre-back at Flamengo, or defensive-minded players like Bremer and Roger Ibanez. Ibanez started against Morocco but was replaced by Danilo at half-time.
"We have to adapt to the players available," Vinicius said.
The midfield was also a major problem. Ancelotti recalled Casemiro last year after an 18-month absence, and the Manchester United midfielder has had a solid season. Bruno Guimaraes has been key for Newcastle. But neither could match the energy of Morocco's midfield, run by 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi on his World Cup debut. Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui dominated so much that Ancelotti replaced five-time Champions League winner Casemiro at half-time.
"We could have controlled the game better," Casemiro said. "We lost the ball too often in midfield."
Brazil improved after the break when Fabinho came on, partly because Morocco tired from their aggressive pressing. But the lack of creativity in midfield remains a grave concern. Since the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, Brazil have relied heavily on Neymar, who's currently injured and has struggled for form in recent years. Without him, playmaking duties fall to Paqueta, a responsibility that seems to weigh on him. Vinicius stepped up at times, but his main job is finishing.
"We should have created more," Fabinho said. "In the second half, with more intensity, we managed to create more chances and space."
Brazil's next match is against Haiti on June 19 — a minnow appearing at their first World Cup since 1974. Brazil will surely be too strong for them. But the performance against Morocco did nothing to dispel doubts about this current group of players. They've won the World Cup six times, but their last title came in 2002. If they're to return to New Jersey for the final on July 19, they must fix their defence, find creativity in midfield, and hope Neymar returns to form.