Bouaddi stars as Morocco hold Brazil, Bayern move for Saibari

Morocco held Brazil 1–1 in the opener

Saturday was not a smash-and-grab. Your team went toe-to-toe with Brazil in Group C and came out 1–1, and the performance matched the scoreline (4) (9). Ayyoub Bouaddi ran midfield with the kind of authority that turns a group-stage draw into a statement. He is 18. Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro were the men trying to contain him, and they could not (4). The Brazilian press did not spin it. One outlet led with how Morocco "held firm" and that Brazil looked short of answers (10).

Bouaddi wanted by everyone

Fabrizio Romano named five clubs with concrete interest: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and PSG (1) (4). Arsenal and Liverpool have already held direct meetings with Bouaddi's representatives, Romano confirmed (1). And PSG? "Paris Saint-Germain absolutely love Bouaddi, and they've been tracking him for a long time," he said (1). Bouaddi himself addressed the noise: "I am really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But for now, I am only focused on the World Cup and we will give everything to achieve the best possible run" (5) (10).

Saibari to Bayern Munich

Ismael Saibari, the man whose legs carried Morocco through midfield against Brazil, is heading to Bayern Munich. RMC Sport report the deal is on (7). Saibari was everywhere on Saturday, pressing, carrying, breaking lines, and Bayern moved fast. The timing suggests the groundwork was laid before the World Cup, but his performance against Brazil made the announcement feel inevitable (7).

Bayern have a second Moroccan deal in the works

Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Bayern Munich have launched an offer for what they call "the pearl of Morocco", a second Moroccan player beyond Saibari (6). No name is confirmed yet, but the report explicitly ties the move to getting a deal done before the World Cup pushes prices higher (6). The Bouaddi context makes the mind wander, though nothing links that name to this specific report.

Juventus want Brahim Diaz

Brahim Diaz is on Juventus' radar, according to Fichajes, even as his renewal with Real Madrid is reportedly advanced (8). Juve are dreaming, the Spanish outlet says, but the Moroccan international would not come cheap and would need to want the move (8). For now, it is interest, nothing more concrete.

Hakimi escaped red against Brazil

Achraf Hakimi was lucky. His challenge on Vinicius Jr during the 1–1 draw was reckless, enough that former referees' chief Keith Hackett said it should have been a yellow card at minimum, and that the referee, Slavko Vincic, missed it entirely by not even giving a foul (9). "Right, I'm clear, having looked at it," Hackett said. "This isn't fulfilling serious foul play, where there's got to be excessive force. Not only that, but there's got to be malice in the challenge. I don't think there was malice." VAR did not intervene because the tackle was low, below the ankle, and aimed at the ball, which saved Hakimi from a sending-off (9).

Scotland on Friday

Scotland won their Group C opener and now face your team in the second group match on Friday (2). Morocco go into it with a point in the bank and the confidence of having gone punch-for-punch with Brazil. Win this one, and the knockout stage starts to come into view (2).

Ihattaren: I will celebrate against the Dutch

Mohamed Ihattaren, who switched allegiance from the Netherlands to Morocco, did not duck the question. "If I score with Morocco against the Netherlands at the next World Cup, I will celebrate," he said (3). The former Dutch youth international is now fully committed, and the quote will travel fast if that matchup materialises later in the tournament (3).