The first big poster for the 2026 World Cup kept its promises on Saturday in New York, where Brazil was held in check by Morocco, at the end of a tough duel (1-1), to each collect a point which maintains the suspense in group C.
Faced with a Seleçao who have not lifted the supreme trophy for 24 years, the Moroccans of Achraf Hakimi arrived pumped up with their title of African champions recovered in mid-March on the green carpet.
They proved it from the start by suffocating the Brazilians, who were in search of their sixth star. Semi-finalists of the last edition, the Atlas Lions were rewarded by taking the advantage in the 21st minute with a goal from Ismaël Saibari who, taking advantage of a bright opening from Brahim Diaz, cleverly won his face-to-face with the Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson with a lob.
The debates then became balanced and Vinicius Jr himself took it upon himself to bring his team back to level terms before the break, with a heavy strike.
To restore its luster to the Seleçao, Brazil chose to enlist one of the greatest coaches in history, the Italian Carlo Ancelotti. But the man who made his debut as a World Cup coach at the age of 67 in New York was unable to find the solution against the Moroccans who confirmed that they would have to be counted on during this World Cup.
Before the tournament, “Carleto” had given in to popular pressure by recalling Neymar but, injured, the star had to be content on Saturday with a supporting role on the side of the pitch.
Scotland defeats Haiti 1-0
For its return to the World Cup, 28 years later, Scotland dominated Haiti (1-0) without margin, Saturday in Foxborough, and takes the lead in Group C of the 2026 World Cup before facing Morocco and Brazil.
John McGinn, the Aston Villa midfielder, picked up a rejected shot from Che Adams after a cross from the restless Ben Gannon-Doak on the right side, to open the scoring with a little success and deliver the Gilette Stadium, the den of the New England Patriots, mainly populated by supporters in kilts (1-0, 28th).
Deliver, because Haiti, 80th nation in the Fifa ranking, 40 places behind its evening opponent, has never presented itself as an expiatory victim. She even created, thanks to quick transitions, several dangerous situations in front of Angus Gunn’s goal throughout the game, and more particularly at the end of the game.
Scott McTominay’s Tartan Army, which hit the post in the first period (17th), still ensured its return to the World Cup after 28 years of absence thanks to better collective control.
In this 48-nation World Cup, it can even, with this inaugural victory, consider leaving its group and playing the phase of direct elimination matches, a first for it in nine participations in a World Cup.
