Brazil Draw Opens World Cup With Sharp Criticism of Ancelotti and Raphinha

Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in its World Cup opener, and coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team was poor in the first half. He said Brazil had problems with balance, lost too many balls, and improved after halftime, adding, “You don’t win the World Cup in the first game.” He stressed that the result was not bad and that the team must keep working ahead of the next match.

Ancelotti refused to single out individual players, including Endrick, after being asked why the youngster did not play. “I’m not here to talk about one player. I’m talking about the team,” he said, adding that Brazil had chances and must be more accurate. He also said the team fought until the final minute and must become “more balanced and more aggressive up front.”

Vinicius Junior scored Brazil’s equalizer with a brilliant solo move, and Ancelotti praised him as dangerous and capable of having a big tournament. Vinicius, however, said he was not at his best technically despite scoring and helping defensively. He said the early goal changed Brazil’s game plan and noted that the heat dried the grass and slowed the match, making it hard to move the ball quickly.

The reaction in Brazil was harsh. Former player and pundit Walter Casagrande blamed Ancelotti entirely for Brazil’s poor football and said Raphinha “was not present,” failing to control the ball, pass, or shoot. He also criticized the decision to keep Endrick on the bench and start Igor Thiago, arguing Brazil should have used a faster, younger attack. Journalist Andre Rizek wrote that after the first match, Neymar, who has not played for 27 days, has already become Brazil’s hope for salvation at this World Cup.