Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Five-time winners Brazil needed a superb Vinicius Junior equaliser to draw 1-1 with Morocco in their opening game at the World Cup on Saturday as Australia conjured a stunning 2-0 upset of Turkey. On the first day to feature four matches at the expanded 48-team tournament, Qatar won the first World Cup point in their history when Miro Muheim’s own goal earned the 2022 tournament hosts a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Scotland, meanwhile, marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a nervy 1-0 win over Caribbean minnows Haiti in Foxborough, outside Boston.
The meeting of Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City promised to be one of the early highlights. Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point, cutting in from the left and unleashing a thunderous shot to level on 32 minutes. Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but Saturday’s performance suggests Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a lot of work to do.
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“I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. I think the team was a bit anxious and nerves were all over the place,” said Ancelotti. “We didn’t play well, but we cannot lose heart. This is the first match in the World Cup and we can’t…think the team is doing perfectly from the get-go.”
In Group C’s other game on Saturday, Scotland – playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 – were roared on to a hard-fought win over Haiti, themselves playing in their first World Cup since 1974. Hordes of Scotland’s famous “Tartan Army” travelling supporters packed the Gillette Stadium to watch manager Steve Clarke’s side claim their first victory in a World Cup game since the 1990 finals in Italy. After a deafening rendition of “Flower of Scotland,” the Scots started a physical contest on the front foot and scored the game’s only goal on 28 minutes when midfielder John McGinn’s deflected shot flew past Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide.
“Everyone said it was a must-win game – we won the game,” said Scotland manager Clarke, whose team face Morocco on Friday in their second game.
In the shock of the day, Australia sent Turkey spinning to a 2-0 defeat in their Group D clash in Vancouver in the late game. The result was dazzling vindication for Australia coach Tony Popovic, who had made the huge call to drop experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favour of rookie shot-stopper Patrick Beach. Beach repaid Popovic’s faith in him with an unforgettable performance, making save-after-save to deny the Turks, who enjoyed 72 percent possession and spent long periods camped in Australian territory. At the other end, Australia took the few chances that came their way with clinical precision, the goals coming from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.
Another of Popovic’s selection calls also proved to be inspired, with Paul Okon-Engstler – starting in place of vice-captain Jackson Irvine – setting up Irankunda’s opener in the 27th minute. Metcalfe made the game safe for the Australians with an individual strike in the 75th minute. “Proud to be here as head coach, to experience this…and just happy for a wonderful young group of men,” Popovic said afterwards, before praising the contribution of inexperienced goalkeeper Beach. “It’s something that we’ve always seen, and I’ve got a lot of belief in the young man. He stood up today, so very happy for him,” Popovic added.
Earlier, Switzerland had taken the lead against Qatar in Santa Clara, California in Group B when Breel Embolo converted a first-half penalty, but Muheim’s injury-time own goal secured a share of the spoils. “I am very proud of the team,” said Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui. “I told them that even if we hadn’t scored the goal and didn’t draw, I would have been proud of the mentality and discipline that they showed today. But fortunately, we scored and that was history.”
© 2024 AFP
