5 things on World Cup: UnBrazilian!

1. Brazilians made to look ordinary in bid for sixth title

A battling draw is not how we’ve come to expect Brazil to start a World Cup against African opponents. But this is not the old Brazil; nor is it the old Africa. Morocco outplayed the five-time winners for much of this hard-fought contest in the MetLife Stadium just outside New York.

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said before kick-off: “We have no Pele, no Romario, no Ronaldo, but we can compete with any country in the world.”

Compete! This is Brazil. They used to mesmerise and then marmalise lesser opponents, but Morocco matched them in every way.

Continuing the theme of this surprising tournament, teams change and just as the Americans shocked us with their swagger yesterday, Brazil stunned us by the lack of theirs. They were generally second to the ball and when they did get it, there was a huge lack of imagination. Only Vinicius Junior’s goals was the only bit of magic. And that was matched by Morocco’s.

On this evidence, the heavyweights of Spain, France and Argentina don’t have much to worry about – except perhaps Morocco.

2. Brazil needs more like Vini to change history

Expectation was high on Vinicius Jr. Some called him the only superstar in the Brazil side. But that was based on his form for Real Madrid. His goal was typical of what we’ve seen in Europe – powerful and brilliant – but it was just his 10th in 50 matches for his country.

At least he knows the task ahead. He said before the game: “This is the most important time in my life. We are here to change history and put Brazil back on top.”

Well, he changed the course of the match with a belter as Morocco were dominating. But history? There were too many players you’d not expect to see in the canary yellow. Igor Thiago found the jump from Brentford to Brazil a bit too big a leap. Liverpool removed an aging Fabinho years ago, but he came on late.

Ancelotti is right, Brazil can compete but a sixth trophy looks beyond this squad.

3. Out of Africa, Morocco are serious contenders

The world was surprised when Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals in Qatar. They did it mainly with a magnificent defence, but now they are much more than that, having added flair all over the pitch.

Zohan Mamdani, the mayor of New York, tips them to win it! They were all over Brazil at the start, and Ismael Saibara’s goal was a thing of beauty. Commentator Peter Drury used the word “delicious” to describe it. Yes, lobs can be delicious. It was a gem of the genre of which those Brazilian masters of old would have been proud.

Saibara, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, was the Netherlands’ Player of the Year last season. And we can see why Bayern Munich have offered £50 million for him. Any more like this and the price will rise.

4. Ancelotti may turn to Neymar for a much-needed spark

Brazil needs a spark and the only man in the squad who can provide it was in his usual position: watching, nursing an injury.

Neymar’s injury jinx goes back all the way to the 2014 World Cup when he was out with a fractured vertebra. There were niggles in 2018 and 2022 and it was a surprise that Ancelotti called up the 35-year-old, whose last game for his country was in 2023. After this display, you feel the wily Italian manager knew what he was doing. There’s no one else besides Vinicius Jr who can deliver the old magic.

Neymar may not play in the group stage, but, in carefully managed cameos, might just be able to in the knockout rounds. He’s not always helped himself in a career that promised everything and delivered precious little, but few would deny him a final moment in the sun.

Brazil needs him.

5. Qatar catches out Swiss for first upset

There was a shock earlier when Qatar grabbed a last-ditch point against Switzerland. Having lost all three matches when playing host in 2022, the Qataris were seen as easy meat in Group B and were on the receiving end for most of the game.

The Swiss had 27 shots but scored only once from a penalty. A 94th-minute header by Boualem Khoukhi did the damage.

So the tournament already has some of the essential ingredients for a successful event: hosts shining, a shock result, and good, attacking football. After the troubled build-up, we could be in for a cracker.