In Brazil’s first game at the 2026 World Cup, the 1-1 draw against Morocco, this Saturday (13), Vinicius Junior scored the equalizing goal with the only shot he took during the match, in the 32nd minute of the first half.
He advanced from the left, passed it to Bruno Guimarães, received it back toward the baseline and cut inside before hitting a beautiful shot into goalkeeper Bono’s left corner.
Voted the star of the match by FIFA, the 25-year-old striker was on the field from start to finish, touched the ball 51 times and made 33 passes, hitting all of them in the defense field and 70% of those he attempted in attack.
He suffered two fouls and committed three, according to data from FolhaStats. He did not complete any of the eight dribbles he attempted.
The performance of Moroccan Ismael Saibari, a striker who opened the scoring in the 21st minute, was similar to that of the Brazilian: one shot and one goal in 89 minutes played, although he touched the ball less.
“To get going, the debut is always very difficult. But we have to improve, keep evolving, because the competition is just beginning. This is the World Cup and there won’t be an easy game,” Vini told CazéTV after the match.
“Certainly we have to hold the ball more, stay with the ball more, move from one side to the other. Many times, opponents will come to defend themselves and counterattack.”
The attacker concentrated his movements in the intermediate area on the left.
