Saibari stuns Brazil as Morocco open World Cup with a statement draw

What a way to open a World Cup

Morocco held Brazil to a 1–1 draw in the Group C opener on Saturday. Ismael Saibari scored a stunning goal that had every Morocco fan on their feet (1) (3) (9) (10) (11) (12).

This was not a smash-and-grab. Your team looked composed, dangerous, and every bit the equal of a Brazil side that left critics unimpressed back home. Brazilian media were scathing: "It's hard to find anything positive here" (10). That says everything about how good Morocco were.

Saibari put on a show, and now Bayern want him

Bayern Munich have reached a verbal agreement with PSV for Ismael Saibari, but PSV journalist Rik Elfrink insists no deal is done yet: "Still no definitive agreement between Bayern and PSV over Ismael Saibari. Talks to resume Monday" (1).

PSV will only sell for what they call a "big fee and attractive payment terms" (1). His World Cup performances will not raise the asking price, but they certainly will not lower it either.

Bilal El Khannouss: "I hope it's true"

Saibari's Morocco teammate Bilal El Khannouss was asked about the Bayern rumours. His answer was careful but warm: "I don't know whether it's true or not. But for his sake, I hope it is, because he truly deserves it" (2).

A friend who wants the best for a friend, and a reminder of how tight this Morocco squad is.

Bouaddi announces himself to the world

Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, played like he has been on this stage for years against Brazil. Liverpool scouts were in the stadium watching him, and PSG have also registered interest (4) (5).

Bouaddi himself kept it simple after the match: "Esto es sólo el comienzo", this is just the beginning (7). If that was the beginning, the rest of this tournament is going to be fun.

Scotland next, and they will have watched that

Scotland won their Group C opener and now face Morocco in a match that suddenly looks even bigger for both sides (6). The Scots will have studied that Brazil draw closely. They know what your team can do now. So does everyone else.

Lekjaa dreaming of a Spain final

Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa had a message for Spain's Lamine Yamal, who chose La Roja over Morocco at international level. "I hope we face Spain in the final, to see if he made the right choice" (8).

Bold words, but after Saturday, who is going to tell him to be quiet?

Fan reactions

Morocco vs Brazil is already being called one of the matches of the tournament so far by neutrals on Reddit, with some fans ranking it as their favourite game from the opening ten fixtures. Meanwhile, a joint statement from Morocco and twelve other FAs pushed back against UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin's comments on World Cup expansion, a sign that the Morocco federation is making its voice heard on and off the pitch. Read the full statement here.