Brazil Held by Impressive Morocco in Entertaining World Cup Stalemate.

Somnath Roy

The New York/New Jersey Stadium witnessed an entertaining 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco in front of a capacity crowd of over 80,000 spectators, with both teams showing flashes of quality in an entertaining FIFA World Cup Group C clash. fish-roadgame.online

NewsArgentina players could face FIFA bans - here's whyFIFA has launched an investigation into post-match clashes following Argentina's World Cup final loss. Several Argentina players were involved in confrontations with Spanish cou...Open →

Morocco enjoyed the better of the first 15 minutes with six attempts on goal and the majority of the ball possession. Morocco’s aggressive pressing forced errors and repeatedly disrupted Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their own defensive third, leaving Brazil struggling to play out from the back.

The pressure finally paid off in the 21st minute. A perfectly weighted through ball from Brahim Diaz split the Brazilian defence and found Ismael Saibari making a well-timed run behind the backline who chips the ball over Alisson to give his side a deserving lead. Morocco who scored against a South American team for the first time in a World Cup match since 1998.

The tension in the stadium grew as did the frustration of the Brazilian fans. The fans were waving their arms and they wanted a response from their team and their star player gave them just that.

Vinicius Junior was picked out by Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the penalty box in the 30th minute. The Real Madrid winger cut in on to his preferred right foot and fired a stunning strike past Yassine Bounou into the roof of the net. That was a moment of individual brilliance that reminded everyone why Vinicius is one of the standout stars of the tournament.

The equaliser changed the complexion of the match and gave Brazil a new life. Both teams continued to search for a second goal before the break and Brazil almost got it early in the second half. Lucas Paqueta’s acrobatic scissor kick in the 47th minute bounced awkwardly in front of Bounou. The Moroccan goalkeeper reacted superbly, reaching out to push the effort behind for a corner.

The first 45 minutes was all about the attacking talents on show, notably Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari and Vinicius Junior, all of whom played big parts in the game’s biggest moments.

Ancelotti tried to change the momentum in the second half, introducing Matheus Cunha and Luiz Henrique for Igor Thiago and Paqueta in the 61st minute. The Brazilian coach also changed to a 4-4-2 formation with Raphinha and Cunha in a forward pairing.

The second period never reached the heights of the first but the substitutions gave Brazil a new purpose. Cunha immediately injected energy and directness into the attack, troubling Morocco’s defence with his movement and willingness to run at defenders. Raphinha also had a much better second half display, leading the press with more intensity and helping Brazil regain territory further up the pitch.

Morocco, however, was disciplined and organised. A standout was 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The teenager was composed against Brazil’s experienced three-man midfield and kept showing why he is considered one of the brightest young talents at this World Cup.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but neither could create the decisive breakthrough. The result means Brazil and Morocco play to a 1-1 draw in a match that highlighted Morocco’s tactical discipline and Brazil’s attacking quality.

Brazil XI: Alisson; Ibanez, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Casemiro, Paqueta, Guimaraes; Raphina, Vinicius Jr, Thiago.

Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Riad, Diop, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaou; Diaz, El Khannouss; Saibari.

Follow Revsportz for latest sports news

The post Brazil Held by Impressive Morocco in Entertaining World Cup Stalemate. appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

Seattle [US], June 14 (ANI): Ahead of his side’s FIFA World Cup campaign opener against Egypt, Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne relished the chance of playing against former Premier League rival Mohamed Salah and spoke on how his status as a veteran helps him enjoy his time with the national side now.

Belgium, the 2018 edition third-place finishing side, will be starting their battle for maiden WC title against Egypt from Monday onwards. Bruyne, since his international debut in 2010, has seen a lot with the national side. In his debut WC back in 2014, his team reached the quarterfinals after achieving their first qualification in 12 years. In the next edition, they fell short, but fared better with a third place finish before crashing out in the group stage in the 2022 edition held in Qatar.

Speaking to the reporters ahead of the match, Bruyne said, as quoted by Reuters, “I think I am probably at a moment in my career where I can maybe enjoy it (playing for the country) more."

“When you are younger, the only thing you want to do is play football and not really be busy with the outside, but I think now I can have a better reflection of what it means to also represent your country for the fourth time (at a World Cup). It is an honour for me to still be here after playing for the national team for about 16 years, so that means I have done something good!" he added.

The match will also reunite former Premier League rivals, with Bruyne, now in Napoli, having battled former Liverpool star Salah numerous times in the Premier League in Manchester City colours. The Belgian spoke on his equation with the Egyptian veteran, pointing out that their kids went to the same school and that Salah is a “nice guy".

“It will be nice to see him, it will be nice to compete again like old times," he added. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

In the rain-curtailed first ODI match against Afghanistan, Team India emerged victorious by seven wickets at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

With an aim of chasing the target of 195 runs, the "Men in Blue" scored 195 runs for the loss of three wickets in 22.5 overs.

Star opening batsman Rohit Sharma managed to score 16 runs in 16 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum. Skipper Shubman Gill played an unbeaten knock of 84 runs off 66 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and two maximums.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan accumulated 34 runs in 22 balls, which included three boundaries and a maximum. Shreyas Iyer registered 12 runs in 15 balls, with the help of a boundary. Along with Gill, KL Rahul stayed unbeaten. Facing just 19 balls, Rahul garnered 39 runs, including four boundaries and three maximums.

Afghanistan`s Ziaur Rahman and Rashid Khan claimed one wicket each. Azmatullah Omarzai, Allah Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem, and Mohammad Nabi went wicketless in the ODI match against the "Men in Blue".

IND vs AFG 1st ODI: First innings` summary

Earlier, having been put to bat first in the rain-curtailed ODI match against Team India, Afghanistan`s wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a glorious knock of 102 runs, which came in 52 balls, laced with eight boundaries and the same number of maximums. Fellow opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran departed on one run in four balls.

Sediqullah Atal was dismissed on a two-ball duck. Rahmat Shah managed to score three runs in eight balls. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi accumulated 27 runs in 30 balls, including three boundaries.

Azmatullah Omarzai garnered 26 runs off 16 deliveries, with the help of three maximums. Mohammad Nabi returned to the pavilion on nine runs in 14 balls, including a maximum. Allah Ghazanfar registered a two-ball duck. Rashid Khan and Ziaur Rahman scored nine and four runs, respectively. Facing 13 balls, Rashid smashed two boundaries, whereas Ziaur smashed a boundary in his eight-ball knock. Mohammad Saleem stayed unbeaten on one run in one ball. With this, the Afghans were bowled out for 194 runs in 24.5 overs against the "Men in Blue".

Team India`s Gurnoor Brar and Hash Dubey claimed three wickets each. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy also bagged two wickets each. Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar went wicketless in the ODI match against Afghanistan.

By the time you read this, you will already know whether Brazil’s journey towards a long-awaited sixth World Cup title has begun on a rocky road or a smoother one. The answer, after 90 minutes at MetLife Stadium, lies somewhere in between.

Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their opening group-stage encounter. Ismael Saibari stunned the five-time world champions with a 21st-minute strike before Vinicius Junior restored parity 11 minutes later with a moment of individual brilliance that lit up an otherwise frustrating evening for Brazil.

Standing at New York’s Penn Station before the match, it was difficult to believe I was still in America. It felt as if a slice of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach had been magically transported into the heart of Manhattan.

A sea of yellow and green jerseys flooded every corner. Samba drums echoed through the station halls. The chants were deafening. Only the name had changed.

Not long ago, it was “Neymar, Neymar.”

Now it is “Vini, Vini.”

Under the giant screens of Times Square, thousands of Brazilians danced and sang despite knowing their talisman Neymar would miss the tournament through injury. The disappointment was real, but it had not dampened their spirit. Somewhere along the way, the baton of expectation had quietly passed into the hands of Vinicius Junior.

The 24-year-old carries the hopes of a nation desperate to end a 24-year wait for World Cup glory. Yet the World Cup in America is not all romance and football fever. It is also business, and sometimes ruthless business at that.

To reach MetLife Stadium from New Jersey, fans travel via Secaucus Station. On ordinary days, a taxi ride might cost $20 or $25. On the eve of the game, one driver quoted $27.

When challenged, he smiled and said: “That’s today. Tomorrow, during the match, it’ll be $200.”

Train fares have surged, transport costs have exploded and supporters who have travelled from Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo and countless other Brazilian cities are feeling the strain.

One fan shrugged and laughed. “They can empty our pockets, but they can’t take away the yellow shirt. Today, Vini will protest for us with his feet.”

For much of the night, Morocco were the better side. Brazil looked disjointed and vulnerable, often struggling to impose themselves. Yet Vinicius once again delivered when his team needed him. Picking up possession on the left, he danced past defenders before producing a finish worthy of the occasion.

It was the kind of goal that explains why Carlo Ancelotti speaks about him with such admiration.

A day earlier, at the pre-match press conference, Vinicius sat just a few rows away from where I was seated. There was no visible burden on his shoulders despite carrying the dreams of millions. He smiled often, spoke calmly and projected the confidence of a player who understands both his responsibility and his talent.

“I don’t want to be a hero,” he said. “Neymar is our idol. Even if he isn’t on the pitch, his spirit is with us. We are a family.”

Later, Ancelotti described him as more than a footballer. “He’s a symbol,” the Italian said. “His mental strength is extraordinary.”

After watching Brazil labour for long periods against Morocco, Ancelotti will know there is work to do. Yet he will also take comfort from avoiding defeat. With group matches against lower-ranked Haiti and Scotland still to come, Brazil remain firmly in control of their destiny.

The performance raised questions. Vinicius provided the answer.

For one more night, Brazil’s dream of Hexa danced to the rhythm of his feet.

Also Read: Brazil Held by Impressive Morocco in Entertaining World Cup Stalemate.

The post The Crown Passes to Vini, but Brazil’s Road to Hexa Starts with a Stumble appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.