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Ancelotti Accepts Criticism After Brazil's Draw: "You Don't Win a World Cup in the First Game"

14/06/2026 09:51 - Deportes

Mundial 2026 Marruecos Brasil Vinícius Jr Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti en conferencia de prensa con micrófonos y logos de Copa del Mundo de fondo, vestido de traje oscuro con expresión seria y manos cruzadas

Ancelotti Admits Brazil Must Improve

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti stated this Saturday that "we must accept the criticism" after the Seleção (Brazil's national team nickname) could only manage a 1-1 draw in their 2026 World Cup debut against Morocco, but reminded everyone that "you don't win a World Cup based on how you play the first game."

"We have to accept the criticism because we didn't play a good game today, especially in the first half where we couldn't find balance. The team will improve in the next match," the Italian tactician declared during the post-match press conference at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

What Ancelotti Said

"We didn't play well": Admitted the performance was below expectations.
Second-half improvement: The team performed better after halftime adjustments.
Apology to fans: Asked forgiveness from supporters for not securing the win.
About Morocco: Recognized they played "very organized" and made it difficult.

Match Summary

Result:	Brazil 1 - 1 Morocco
Brazil Goal:	Vinícius Jr. (32')
Morocco Goal:	Ismael Saibari (21')
Stadium:	MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Attendance:	80,663 (70% Brazilian fans)
Referee:	Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)

Who Is Carlo Ancelotti?

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most successful football managers in history. The Italian coach has won multiple Champions League titles with clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich. Known for his calm demeanor and tactical flexibility, Ancelotti took over the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, becoming one of the few foreign coaches to lead the Seleção Brasileira.

Brazil is traditionally managed by Brazilian coaches, making Ancelotti's appointment historic. The Canarinha (another nickname for Brazil, referring to their iconic yellow jersey) has won five World Cups, more than any other nation.

Match Highlights

Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands) opened the scoring at 21 minutes for Morocco with a brilliant chip shot over the goalkeeper. Vinícius Jr. equalized at 32 minutes with a stunning individual play that rescued a point for Brazil.

Morocco extended their unbeaten streak to 29 matches, demonstrating why they reached the semifinals at Qatar 2022. Brazil came into the tournament after defeating Panama 6-2 and Egypt 2-1 in pre-tournament friendlies.

Hydration Breaks and Pitch Conditions

Ancelotti positively evaluated the mandatory hydration breaks implemented in the tournament: "They are a very good moment tactically because you can explain problems to the players."

Vinícius Jr. complained about the pitch conditions: "Due to the heat, the grass dries very quickly and the game gets stuck. We couldn't establish a rhythm. We'll have to adapt because it's going to be like this throughout the competition."

Brazil's Upcoming Group C Matches