Morocco showed why they caused so many teams trouble in Qatar as they overwhelmed a mix-and-match Brazil side.
Maybe what we all saw in Qatar wasn't a miracle. As it turns out, Morocco are pretty good as the World Cup darlings showed Brazil that their 2022 heroics were far from a fluke.
Facing off in a friendly on Saturday, Brazil were undone in a 2-1 defeat thanks to goals from Moroccan stars Sofiane Boufal and Abedelhamid Sabiri. With the Selecao missing key stars like Neymar, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Richarlison due to injury, interim coach Ramon Menezes took the opportunity to hand several starlets their first cap as Rony, Andrey Santos and Vitor Roque made their debut.
They'll all likely have better days than this one as Menezes' Brazil never quite got going. The Selecao looked like a team in friendly mode while Morocco looked ready to compete, leading to several scuffles throughout the match. Even with a goal by Casemiro in the second half, Morocco were the better team of the two as they took down Brazil on home soil.
.GOAL rates Brazil's players from the Grand Stade de Tanger…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Weverton (6/10):
One save, two goals conceded. Not what you want! Both goals came off bad giveaways, so he's not totally to blame
Emerson Royal (4/10):
Definitely played his part in the first goal conceded and was, overall, way too sloppy. Sloppiness gets punished at this level, and Brazil were punished for the Tottenham man's lack of awareness.
Eder Militao (5/10):
At least partially at fault for the second goal and was definitely at fault for a few in game scuffles. Not his best day by any stretch.
Roger Ibanez (6/10):
Was solid but not spectacular. Should be somewhat content with his performance.
Alex Telles (6/10):
Kickstarted the sequence for a Vinicius goal that was ruled offside. Was okay other than that.
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Andrey Santos (6/10):
A debut for the Chelsea signing next to two World Cup veterans. Was, unsurprisingly, outshone by those next to him, but a solid 65 minutes nonetheless.
Casemiro (8/10):
How good is the Manchester United star? Goals from him are a bonus, as his game is defined by all of the other things he can do. He got one here, though, even if Bounou could have done better.
Lucas Paqueta (7/10):
The West Ham man was active as always. Gave the ball away a few times, but did also get the assist on Casemiro's goal.
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Vinicius Jr. (6/10):
Had a goal called off for offside, which will feel harsh. Even so, not his best game. Just didn't look like the dynamo we've seen so often for Real Madrid.
Rodrygo (6/10):
Played centrally and showed some obvious chemistry with Vinicius, but Brazil weren't too dangerous with the Real Madrid man on the field. Replaced after 65 minutes.
Rony (5/10):
Only 17 touches in 65 minutes. Not quite the debut he would have hoped for as he struggled to get involved in the action. Did have one early chance, though, that he failed to put on target.
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Antony (4/10):
Gave the ball away on the second goal. Didn't do anything on the attacking end to ever make ammends.
Vitor Roque (5/10):
Played 25 minutes after replacing Rodrygo, but only got six touches. Still, a debut for the 18-year-old attacker, so that's nice.
Raphael Veiga (6/10):
Replaced Santos in midfield and was largely solid on the ball for his 25 minutes.
Yuri Alberto (N/A):
Came on for just five minutes in place of Paqueta
Arthur (N/A):
A stoppage time addition for Emerson.
Ramon Menezes(6/10):
Gave a few starlets their debuts, which will be the only memorable part of this one. Team just never felt quite right with several key stars missing.