15/06/2026

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MONDAY • 15th JUNE 2026

B RAZIL COACH Carlo Ancelotti said that “you don’t win a World Cup based on your first match” after the five-time champions laboured to a 1-1 draw with Morocco yesterday. The Selecao were in danger of losing their opening game at a World Cup for the first time since 1934 after falling behind to Ismael Saibari’s goal in New Jersey. Vinicius Junior struck a superb

Joy & relief

Ancelotti urges patience as Brazil make slow start

equaliser to earn a point for Brazil, but Ancelotti admitted it was not the type of performance expected from his team. match, especially in the beginning. I think the team was a bit anxious and nerves were all over the place,” said Ancelotti. “We didn’t play well, but we cannot lose heart. This is the first match in the World Cup and we can’t… think the team is doing perfectly from the get-go. “This was the result we had. It wasn’t bad, but we’ll keep picking up from the “I think this was a tough

second match on. You don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.” Ancelotti tipped Vinicius to excel at the tournament as

Vinicius Junior (left) celebrates after scoring Brazil’s first goal as teammate Matheus Cunha (2nd from right) battles for possession against Morocco during the 2026 World Cup Group C match at New York Stadium in New Jersey yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

with the feeling that his team could, and perhaps should, have taken more from the contest though. “It was a good match, it’s a point. We would’ve hoped to have more but we’ll take the point,” said Ouahbi. “We’re happy, we’re not sad today, but we would have liked to win.” With Brazil floundering during an alarming first half against a slick and bold Morocco, Ancelotti desperately looked around for a saviour. Enter Vinicius Jr and a piece of exquisite skill to delight a sea of yellow inside this New York bowl and ignite a flawed Selecao in their pursuit of a sixth star. Their wooden midfield, with Casemiro’s redemption at Manchester United obscured upon sporting that famous canary, and imposters at fullback enough to make Cafu and Roberto Carlos shudder, Vinicius Jr’s mercurial talent

happens it’s hard to get it going, you know, it’s the first match, it’s always hard. “But we’ve got to improve and continue to grow because the competition is only but starting. This is the World Cup, there are no easy matches. “But I don’t think there’s a lot to say now. I think we really

the leader of the attack, a role he will fulfil even when Brazil’s

A laser from the left side of the penalty area that pierced the top right corner of Bono’s net led to an eruption of joy and relief in equal doses. Bruno Guimaraes, also uncomfortable around the snapping Moroccan midfielders, placed an imperfect pass into space. Vinicius Jr reset, gathered and then sent a shiver down the spine of Neil El Aynaoui. Unable to stop the inevitable dance inside, Vinicius Jr brought parity, but also underlined Ancelotti’s ongoing struggle to find balance. Morocco had earlier exposed the Selecao ’s hapless shape when Brahim Diaz floated the ball in behind from deep, allowing Saibari to race past Gabriel Magalhaes and delicately lift the ball over Alisson Becker. Ancelotti has talent, but confessed that “without talent you cannot win but balance is also very important,” and that remains the unanswered question yesterday. – AFP/The Independent

all-time record scorer Neymar returns

from a calf injury. “He did well. He was

have to improve.” Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi praised the display of the 2022 semifinalists, who suggested they will again be a tough proposition in North America. “Proud of the effort of the team, we drew, but we are happy for the performance of us. We still have to improve every game, so that is what we’re going to be focused on right now,” Hakimi told Fox . Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was left

very dangerous and I think he has everything in his power to have a great World Cup,” Ancelotti

said of the Real Madrid forward. However, Vinicius rued Brazil’s

sluggish start against a Morocco side that had been told by their coach to approach the match with no fear. “We started on a really bad note,” said the 25 year-old. “We conceded that first goal and after that

shone a light on why the heart of this tournament’s greatest team still beats.

McGin eyes ‘uncharted territory’

'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi'

p 25 No right answer

p 28

Tiki-taka 2.0

p 29

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