Alisson faces questions after Brazil suffers nightmare start to FIFA World Cup

 Brazil opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday, escaping what could have been a damaging defeat thanks to a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius Junior.

However, the evening will be remembered as much for an alarming goalkeeping decision that gifted their opponents the lead in the World Cup opener.

Morocco started the game at a thunderous pace, pressing Brazil high and exposing the disorganization in Ancelotti's midfield from the very first minutes. Brazil looked nervous in possession, unable to string passes together, and Casemiro in particular was repeatedly caught out of position by Morocco's sharp, well-drilled movement. Meanwhile, the Premier League confirmed four new rules for next season after a World Cup change.

The Selecao's best early opportunity came when Igor Thiago somehow failed to connect with a Vinicius Junior cross from close range, a miss that would prove costly.

The goal that put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute was a genuine piece of quality from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari, but it was also one that Alisson made considerably easier than it had any right to be.

Diaz split Brazil's two centre-backs with a perfectly weighted through ball, and Saibari's finish was composed. Yet the conversation after the match immediately turned to the Liverpool goalkeeper's decision-making in the seconds before the goal.

Alisson had advanced well off his line, leaving an enormous amount of space behind him. By the time Saibari received the ball and assessed his options, the chip was not a difficult finish, it was the obvious one.

To observers, it was clear consensus that Alisson had no business being that far out. It was a shocking decision to push up so aggressively with the danger developing behind his defensive line. The goal extended Brazil's run to eight consecutive matches without a clean sheet.

Brazil's response to going behind was initially sluggish, but Vinicius Junior produced the moment that kept their campaign alive.

Cutting inside from the left in the 32nd minute, he took a touch to set himself and fired a strike into the far corner with exactly the kind of individual quality that Brazil will be depending on throughout this tournament.

Ancelotti made changes at halftime, removing Casemiro and Roger Ibanez, and Brazil improved in the second half, controlling longer spells of possession and coming close through Raphinha.

Morocco had a late chance to win it but Alisson, in rather better decision-making mode, produced a double save to ensure the draw held.

Both sides will feel they can build from this result, though the scrutiny on Brazil's performance, and their goalkeeper's judgment for that opening goal, will intensify before their next match against Haiti.