Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved first-half lead before Vinicius Junior produced a moment of brilliance to restore parity, ensuring the points were shared in the opening Group C match.

For Morocco, semi-finalist at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the performance offered further evidence it can challenge the game's traditional powers.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil side was left with questions to answer after a disjointed display where it was repeatedly stretched by its opponent's pace and movement.

"I don't think we started the match well, the team was a bit nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn’t good," Ancelotti said after noting Brazil's improvement after the break.

"It improved in the second half; it's a tough match because Morocco is a good side. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they were breaking out of our press and making dangerous counter-attacks."

Morocco made the brighter start, patiently working the ball down the flanks and posing an early threat through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss while Brazil looked to strike on the counter.

Morocco repeatedly sliced through Brazil's midfield with alarming ease, exposing gaps between the lines as teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi displayed his talent.

Brazil's first sniff at goal came in the 14th minute, but Igor Thiago failed to make the most of it, fluffing his header.

Seven minutes later, the five-time world champion's defensive frailties were laid bare.

Lucas Paqueta was dispossessed in midfield, allowing Diaz to slip Saibari through as centre backs Marquinhos and Gabriel were caught flat-footed.

Alisson compounded the error with an ill-timed charge off his line, and Saibari calmly lofted the ball over the goalkeeper to give Morocco the lead.

Brazil continued to struggle against Morocco’s intensity and organisation, although the African side was unable to turn its superiority into further goals.

Instead, it took only a moment of brilliance from Vinicius to haul Brazil level in the 32nd minute.

Collecting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left edge of the box, he cut inside on to his right foot and rifled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner.

Brazil nearly completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time, but Yassine Bounou reacted sharply to keep out Paqueta’s acrobatic scissor-kick.

Midfielder Fabinho and defender Danilo came on for Casemiro and Roger Ibanez, who had a woeful first half, giving Brazil some more control in the game in the second half.

Brazil upped a gear, showing more poise and forcing Morocco to defend more although it struggled to create clear-cut chances until the 78th minute when Raphinha collected a cross from Vinicius.

The edge went off as both sides mostly avoided risks towards the latter stages of the match.

Brazil did find some new energy in the final minutes, coming close through Matheus Cunha, but still lacked any notable swagger.

Both teams will fancy their chances of finishing top of the group and getting a potentially better path in the knockout stages.