Morocco v Brazil Live Commentary & Result, 25/3/23, Friendlies

That concludes our commentary of the international friendly between Morocco and Brazil! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Morocco take to the pitch again in three days, when they play Peru in a friendly. Brazil’s next match has not yet been scheduled.

Morocco score a goal in either half to complete a famous victory over Brazil, beating the Selecao 2-1 at the Grand Stade de Tanger. Boufal’s goal a minute shy of the half-hour mark gave the Atlas Lions a deserved lead at the interval, though the two sides would be level less than 30 minutes later thanks to Casemiro’s first-time shot, which snuck under the arm of Bounou. Regragui’s side would respond positively however, shaking off the setback and finding the winner in the closing stages of the game, with Sabiri’s thunderous half-volley giving Weverton no chance. The visitors looked slow and ponderous at times as they adjust under interim coach Menezes, while the hosts appeared to take the match extremely seriously, flying into blocks and contesting every ball. It’s a positive result for Morocco, who snap a five-game skid with the home victory.

90' + 7' FULL-TIME: MOROCCO 2-1 BRAZIL.

90' + 5' Brazil have scored in 13 of their last 14 matches including tonight and were last kept goalles against Cameroon in a 1-0 World Cup group stage match which had no qualifying significance for the Selecao.

Arthur

Emerson

90' + 3' A late change at full-back sees Arthur Augusto come on for Emerson.

90' + 1' The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

89' Casemiro and Sabiri collide in midfield, with the Morocco substitute feeling the full impact. Play is stopped so the goal scorer can get to his feet, which he will take his time doing.

87' Morocco and Brazil have met once before - in the World Cup in 1998. Brazil emerged victorious 3-0 with goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.

Yuri Alberto

Lucas Paquetá

85' Paqueta is recalled to the bench with five minutes to go. Alberto is sent on in his stead.

84' Vinicius plays an incisive pass into the penalty area for Veiga, who winds up a shot that’s blocked at the outset by a well-placed Aguerd.

82' Casemiro rolls the free-kick along the edge of the 18-yard box for Veiga, who miscues his first-time effort and sends it rolling slowly into the penalty area, where it’s whacked away by a Morocco defender.

81' Aguerd pushes Roque over on the left corner of the penalty area, giving Brazil a chance to test Bounou from a free-kick.

W. Cheddira

Assist

79' On for just three minutes, Cheddira makes an impact with an assist for the go-ahead goal!

A. Sabiri

Goal

79' A FANTASTIC STRIKE GIVES MOROCCO THE LEAD! 2-1! Attiyat-Allah wins the ball back high up the pitch and drives to the byline, putting a low cross in towards the penalty spot. The substitute full-back finds Cheddira, who chests it on to Sabiri, who meets it with a powerful half-volley that kisses the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net!

A. Ezzalzouli

S. Boufal

77' Boufal is replaced by Ezzalzouli with 13 minutes remaining.

W. Cheddira

Y. En-Nesyri

76' Bari’s Cheddira comes on for En-Nesyri.

75' Play restarts with Sabiri’s inswinging corner, which is headed away on the six-yard line by Militao, who puts it out for a Morocco throw.

73' The referee has temporarily stopped play to allow both sets of players a chance to consume fluids and speak to their coaches.

71' Morocco have not kept a clean sheet in their last six matches including tonight; a stretch that goes back to the Atlas Lions’ 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals.

69' Bounou’s first-half mistake may have gone unpunished thanks to an offside in the build-up, but the goalkeeper isn’t as fortunate in the second - with his mistake the reason Brazil are level. The Selecao have shown little overall after the restart but a stroke of fortune puts them back in the match and on the front foot in search of the winner.

Lucas Paquetá

Assist

67' Paqueta picks up the assist after winning the ball back and finding his team-mate in space!

Casemiro

Goal

67' BRAZIL FIND THE EQUALISER! 1-1! It’s one to forget for Bounou, who lets Casemiro’s first-time shot from 20 yards squeak under his arm and into the goal!

Raphael Veiga

Andrey Santos

65' Santos' first game for Brazil ends after 65 minutes. Veiga comes on for his debut appearance for his nation.

Vitor Roque

Rodrygo

65' Roque comes on for Rodrygo with Brazil making multiple changes in the attack.

Antony

Rony

64' Rony's debut comes to an end without a goal as he's replaced by Antony just after the hour.

A. Sabiri

A. Ounahi

64' Ounahi also makes way at this juncture, with Sabiri taking his place.

I. Louza

B. El Khannouss

64' Morocco opt to make a change in midfield just after the hour, with the previously booked El Khannouss replaced by Louza.

62' Brazil appear to be readying a substitute on the touchline, with Antony going through his final instructions. The visiting attack has been calling out for inspiration, with Menezes looking ready to roll the dice.

60' Morocco are finding it comfortable to cede possession to their opponents after seeing more of the ball initially, retreating into their shape to force Brazil to move the ball quickly in tight spaces. The Selecao have thus far been unable to pick the lock and test Bounou with regularity, managing just one shot so far in the second half.

58' Rodrygo’s outswinging corner is contested by Militao and Mazraoui, with the Bayern Munich full-back winning out and clearing his lines.

56' Vinicius draws two defenders towards him inside the penalty area before flashing low cross across the six-yard box for Rodrygo, who is a step behind the dangerous delivery.

Rony

Yellow Card

54' Rony's shoulder barge on Amrabat is worth of a yellow card deems referee Sadok Selmi.

Y. Attiat-Allah

A. Hakimi

53' A change after 53 minutes sees Hakimi replaced by Attiyat-Allah.

52' Ibanez steps forward taking advantage of the space left by the retreating Morocco front line but an inexplicably poor pass out to the left is put five yards behind Telles and out for a throw for the hosts.

50' Boufal cuts inside from the left and plays a perfect pass in between centre-back and full-back for Mazraoui but the Bayern Munich defender’s low, centring cross is cut out by a retreating Ibanez.

48' Rodrygo’s inswinging corner to the near post is met by En-Nesyri, who heads the ball off the unsuspecting Rony and behind for a goal-kick.

47' A lovely body feint gets Hakimi free of three markers down the right wing, allowing Morocco to get up the pitch quickly. The Paris Saint-Germain eventually loses possession just outside Brazil’s penalty area but a lucky bounce takes it to Ziyech, whose first-time effort sails well wide.

46' Brazil get the match restarted from the kick-off!

While Rodrygo and Vinicius have linked up in threatening fashion, Rony’s debut hasn’t gone as he had hoped, with the forward unable to get into the game. Manchester United’s Antony will certainly be a consideration in the second half should Brazil continue to trail. The fresh legs of Lodi on the left could also be a help, with Vinicius already a handful down that flank. Morocco will look to keep things tight and in front of them, though Ezzalzouli could be used as an extra counter-attacking threat in the late stages.

The first half at the Grand Stade de Tanger comes to an end with Morocco leading by a goal to nil, thanks to Boufal’s close-range striker just before the half-hour mark. The hosts started the match the more confident of the two sides, keeping possession well and forcing their opponents into a number of cynical fouls in an attempt to win back the ball. Menezes’ side grew into the occasion however and looked to have scored after just 26 minutes following Bounou’s goalkeeping error, but an offside decision would save the blushes of the Sevilla shot-stopper. The overruled strike would also give Regragui’s team the chance to take the lead, which they would do with aplomb just three minutes later through Boufal.

45' + 3' HALF-TIME: MOROCCO 1-0 BRAZIL.

S. Amrabat

Yellow Card

45' + 2' Amrabat is shown a yellow card late in the half for a frustrated foul on Vinicius.

45' The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.

43' Rodrygo is tasked with delivering the ensuing free-kick into the penalty area from a central position in midfield but his ball to the far post is missed by Ibanez, who is unable to prevent a goal-kick.

B. El Khannouss

Yellow Card

42' El Khannouss is shown the first yellow card of the game for an unnecessary and late challenge on Santos.

41' Vinicius whips a dangerous curling effort with his right foot towards goal after cutting inside but the shot flies just over the crossbar, despite Bounou scrambling backwards to cover his lines.

39' Telles scoops the free-kick towards the six-yard box but Aguerd gets there first to put in a clearing header.

38' Vinicius goes over under a push from Hakimi and gives away a free-kick right on the line of the 18-yard box on the left-hand side.

37' Ziyech is allowed to latch onto the loose ball 10 yards from goal and curls a trademark effort with his left foot, sending the strike wrapping around the outside of the far post.

35' Rodrygo cuts inside from the right and blasts a shot towards goal that sails harmlessly wide of Bounou’s target.

33' Bounou will certainly count himself fortunate to be on the leading side after committing an error which almost led to a Brazil breakthrough two minutes before Morocco’s opener. The Sevilla goalkeeper will have to be a bit more reserved with his movements outside the penalty area now that his team have the lead, with just under an hour remaining.

31' A bit of a scrum breaks out in midfield, with Militao and El Khannouss the culprits. The referee keeps his cards in his pocket but gives Brazil a free-kick near the centre-circle, with the Morocco midfielder committing a foul prior to the melee.

B. El Khannouss

Assist

29' El Khannouss' unselfish pass inside the penalty area is the assist for the game's opening goal.

S. Boufal

Goal

29' IT’S NOT GOALLESS FOR LONG! 1-0 MOROCCO! INCREDIBLE! The hosts weather a crazy five-minute spell and hit back at the other end with clinical success! Ziyech’s initial pass is intercepted, but Emerson’s lack of awareness gives Regragui’s side a chance to win it back high up the pitch. Boufal takes the ball back and plays it to El Khannouss, who returns it to the striker for the easy finish!

28' There is a brief pause after the chalked-off goal, giving the VAR time to confirm its decision. After deliberating for a moment which gives both sets of players the chance to speak to the referee, the decision stands and it remains 0-0.

26' BRAZIL SCORE BUT IT WON’T COUNT! Telles plays a long pass down the left flank for Paqueta, who gets a chest it to divert the trajectory. Bounou comes off his line to meet it but misses his shot completely, presenting the ball to Vinicius, who volleys it into the open goal. The Real Madrid winger wheels away to celebrate but the referee immediately blows his whistle for offside.

24' SO CLOSE! Ziyech steps inside from a position on the right wing a full 40 yards from goal and plays an absolutely inch-perfect pass to the chest of Mazraoui. The striker takes it down well with his chest and takes a touch before firing a shot that’s dragged just wide of the far post!

22' Militao steps out of his own half with the ball and plays a long pass over the top of the defence for the run of Rony, who is unable to keep it in play despite a sliding attempt ahead of the byline.

20' This time Boufal tries his luck slipping EN-Nesyri through on goal but the pass is weighted too heavily, allowing Weverton to come off his line and claim the loose ball.

19' Hakimi and Ziyech link up expertly on the right wing, which gives Ounahi plenty of space to run into. The Marseille midfielder receives the ball and plays a superb pass into the penalty area for the run of En-Nesyri, who is forced wide by Militao’s close marking.

17' Despite their ability to keep the ball and force Brazil to chase, Morocco have done little to trouble Brazil’s defence in the opening quarter-hour, with the visitors slowly but surely growing in confidence. It’s taken Menezes’ side a little while to find their feet but the midfield and attack look to be linking up much more confidently.

15' Paqueta’s cross towards Rony is met by Mazraoui, whose clearing header goes as far as Casemiro; stationed deep in Morocco’s half.

13' RONY SENDS IT OVER! Paqueta plays a stunning ball through the defensive line for the run of Rony after receiving a pass from Vinicius, but Saiss’ physical presence does just enough to put the forward off-balance - forcing him to fire his eventual shot high and wide.

12' Brazil waste a set-piece in disappointing fashion, with Rony going short to Paqueta. The midfielder looks to return possession to the Palmeiras forward but it’s a telegraphed pass that’s easily intercepted outside Morocco’s penalty area.

11' Paqueta releases Vinicius down the left-hand side but his centring pass for Real Madrid team-mate Rodrygo is cut out by Saiss, who takes no chances as he boots it away for a throw-in.

9' Ziyech curls a lovely delivery onto Weverton’s six-yard line but the goalkeeper shows bravery, rushing out of his goal to make a two-handed punch.

8' Casemiro is not impressed as the referee once again whistles for a foul after En-Nesyri is wrestled to the turf by Ibanez on the right wing. It’s a free-kick for Morocco just over 30 yards from goal, with Ziyech standing over the deadball.

7' Amrabat steps between Santos and Rodrygo and plays a pass out to Ounahi, who is promptly wrestled to the ground by Rony - giving the hosts yet another free-kick deep in midfield.

5' Paqueta looks up after receiving a pass in the centre of the field and attempts to swing a cross into the penalty area but the West Ham midfielder dawdles on the ball slightly, allowing Ounahi to cut across and win it back.

3' Brazil are very eager to win the ball back in the opening stages, giving three free-kicks away in the opening three minutes. The hosts have done well to maintain possession against the aggressive press and win tactical set-pieces.

1' Morocco get the match underway from the kick-off!

Menezes’ first line-up in charge of Brazil sees two debuts mixed in with the wealth of experience. Weverton gets the nod in goal behind a four-man defence of Emerson, Militao, Ibanez and Telles. Paqueta and Casemiro will take charge in midfield, alongside 18-year old debutant Santos while Real Madrid pair Rodrygo and Vinicius play from wide. The final man in the formation also receives his first international cap, with Rony named the striker.

Regragui puts out a very strong side for Morocco, with Sevilla’s Bounou between the posts. Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss and Mazraoui make up the back four while Amrabat screens the defence in midfield. Ziyech and Boufal operate as wingers either side of El Khannous and Ounahi and En-Nesyri functions as the lone striker.

BRAZIL SUBS: Ederson, Mycael, Gleison Bremer, Yuri Alberto, Arthur, Robert Renan, Renan Lodi, Andre, Joao Gomes, Vitor Roque, Raphael Veiga, Antony.

BRAZIL XI (4-3-3): Weverton; Emerson Royal, Eder Militao, Roger Ibanez, Alex Telles; Lucas Paqueta, Casemiro, Andrey Santos; Rodrygo, Rony, Vinicius Junior.

MOROCCO SUBS: Jawad El Yamiq, Anass Zaroury, Chadi Riad, Yassine Kechta, Ibrahim Salah, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Benjamin Bouchouari, Abderazak Hamdallah, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Ayoub Amraoui, Imran Louza, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Munir Mohamedi, Yahia Attiyat-Allah, El Mehdi Benabid, Achraf Dari, Abdelkabir Abqar, Walid Cheddira.

MOROCCO XI (4-1-4-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Naif Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat; Hakim Ziyech, Bilal El Khannous, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofiane Boufal; Youssef En-Nesyri.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!

Brazil take to the pitch for the first time since losing to Croatia in the quarter-final stage of the World Cup, with interim coach Ramon Menezes taking the helm following the departure of Tite. The Selecao will be without both Neymar and Thiago Silva through injury, with Manchester United’s Casemiro set to anchor the midfield and wear the armband as captain.

Despite a fantastic World Cup performance which saw Morocco break records to finish in fourth place, the Atlas Lions have found it difficult to rebound in form following their elimination. Walid Regragui’s side have lost five-consecutive games since their 2-0 loss at the hands of France in Qatar, with three 3-0 defeats in a row in the African Nations Championship leaving the side bottom of their group.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the international friendly between Morocco and Brazil!

Morocco v Brazil Live Commentary, 26/3/23

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