Brazil held by Morocco as Germany take the goal record

Brazil stumble out of the gate with 1–1 draw against Morocco

Not the start anyone expected. Brazil opened their 2026 World Cup campaign Saturday with a 1–1 draw against Morocco, and the performance is already setting off alarms. Vinicius Júnior was the lone bright spot, one outlet described the match as "Vinicius and ten others" (14). The rest of the team looked flat, disjointed, and nothing like a side chasing a sixth title.

Ancelotti responds: 'no one wins a World Cup in the first game'

Carlo Ancelotti posted a message on social media to calm the storm after heavy criticism of the opening result (1). He got a public vote of confidence from Kaká, who pointed to Argentina's 2022 campaign as proof: they lost their opener and lifted the trophy. "Ancelotti will find the solution. Nobody wins a World Cup in the first game. It's a more tense match, but there will be time to correct it," Kaká said (2).

Pundits unload: 'I was scared' and Paquetá 'the worst on the pitch'

The reaction back home was brutal. Commentator Paulo Nunes said he was "scared" by what he saw and warned Brazil must "evolve a lot in every area" to have any shot later in the tournament (3). Journalist Breiller Pires went even harder on Lucas Paquetá, calling him "the worst on the pitch" and describing the midfield performance as "one of the worst I've ever seen in a World Cup" (6). Paquetá, he said, was completely disconnected from the match.

Germany snatch Brazil's all-time World Cup scoring record

A sour weekend got worse Sunday. Germany demolished Curaçao 7–1 to reach 239 all-time World Cup goals, overtaking Brazil's 237 and claiming the record for most goals in tournament history (4) (8) (9). Kai Havertz scored twice as Julian Nagelsmann's side put on a clinic. For Brazilian fans, the scoreline itself, 7–1, was an unwelcome echo.

Morocco's Saibari now a wanted man after goal against Brazil

Ismael Saibari's goal against Brazil is paying off fast. Bayern Munich and PSV are negotiating a transfer for the midfielder (7), and his Morocco teammate Bilal El Khannouss said he hopes the move happens because Saibari "truly deserves it" (10). Chelsea are also circling, they want the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder who troubled Brazil all night (11).

Fan reactions

The mood online is a mix of gallows humor and genuine concern. Some fans are already calling the Morocco match the best game of the tournament so far despite the draw, while others are lamenting the goal record loss to Germany with a mix of resignation and pride in the old mark. The streets of Brazil are still getting painted for the World Cup, a tradition that carries on regardless of results. See the discussion