Morocco 2-1 Brazil: summary, score, goals, highlights, international friendly

FT: Morocco 2-1 Brazil

Goals from Boufal and Sabiri from the home team were enough to secure the win despite Casemiro pulling a goal back for the Seleçao after a shocking mistake from Sevilla and Morocco stopper Bono.

The Walid Regragui magic contimes as the Atlas Lions record a famous win over the all powerful Brazil.

....and there it is.

Brazil lose to Morocco in Tangier.

Brazil still press looking for a last chance to draw level. 

Fans whistle looking for the Tunisian referee to end the contest. 

Two minutes left in Tangier. Morocco still hang onto the 2-1 lead.

Final change for Brazil as Arthur makes his debut and replaces Emerson

Emerson and Amrabat both injured and will need to get medical attention.

Amrabat almost gifts Brazil a great chance but fortunately for the Fiore man, there are a series of red shirts on hand to help out.

Five minutes of time to be added. 

Final minute as the home fans acclaim each pass with a string of 'Oles'.

Four minutes plus stoppage time left in Tangier as Brazil look for the equaliser. But what we did learn from the World Cup is that Morocco are a very, very tough side to break down.

Alberto on for Brazil as Paqueta makes way

The game is wide open now with plenty of space on the pitch opening up.

Brazil win a dangerous free as they go short but fluff their lines and Veiga miscues.

The goal has ignited the Tangier crowd again as they sense a historic win could be on the cards.

MOR 2-1 BRA

For the first time tonight, the tempo of the game has dropped. 

Morocco still dominating the action in terms of possession: 52-48 (%)

The tide has turned and it's now Morocco's turn to dominate the action as Regragui makes more changes.

En Neysri and Boufal off with Abde and Cheddira on

Not exactly tropical temperature in the north of Morocco with a temperature in the low 60s (F) ...  

More changes for Morocco as the game appears to be held up for a water break.

That goal was on the cards with the visitors in the ascendancy in the past ten minutes but what a mistake from the Sevilla keeper as he lets the strike from Casemiro squirm under his body.

Changes for Morocco: Bilal El Khannous and Ounahi off with Sabiri and Louza on 

Three changes for Brazil: Anthony, debutants Viega and Vitor Roque 

Off: Rony, Rodrygo and Andre

Brazil are knocking on the door now as they start to create more and more danger. Rony looks alert and Vini Jr is a constant threat.

Menezes set to make a series of changes for the visiting side.

Just approaching the hour mark and Vini Jr. is now looking threatening each time he picks up the ball.

Brazil go close as they start to dominate the action. Rony goes close but sees his effort blocked by Romain Saïss. 

Vini gets into the box and slides the ball across the face of the Morocco goal but Rony is unable to latch onto the delivery.

Rony carded as he clips a free flowing Amrabat. The Fiorentina player has been another stand-out for the Atlas Lions tonight.

Morocco switch as Achraf leaves the pitch and is replaced by Yahia Attiyat Allah

Morocco's use of space and first touches have been incredible tonight. 

Not often one says this but Brazil at times are being totally outplayed by the African side.

Morocco break with pace with Achraf instrumental in the move, the ball falls to Ziyech but the Chelsea player blazes wide.

What a stop from Bono as he saves spectacurly from a Rodrygo volley. 

Bright start to this second half.

Brazil start the second 45'.

The teams are back on the pitch with the second half set to get underway imminently.

Morocco looking to keep their momentum after their exploits in Qatar with a win over a global superpower such as Brazil.

45 minutes for the Atlas Lions to hang on to the lead. 

Inevitable we'll see a raft of changes from both managers in the second half too.

MOR 1-0 BRA

A goal from Al Rayyan's Boufal the difference between the teams at the interval.

That's it for the first 45.... Morocco good value for their lead in what's been an excellent half of football in Tangier.

Azzedine Ounahi, Achraf and Ziyech looking bright on the left hand side with both sides having had 2 shots a piece on goal.

Azzedine Ounahi finds Boufal but the goal scorer totally misses the ball.

Now a little tension between Amrabat and Vini Jr... last action of the half and the Moroccan player is carded.

We'll have 2 minutes of added time to compensate for the VAR check on the disallowed Vini Jr goal.

Bilal El Khannous is carded as he clips Andre

Vin tries to catch Bounou out as he sees the Sevilla stopper off his line. The ball just drifts over the bar.

Morocco's one touch football is impressive and by and large the accuracy has been excellent.

The pace of the game is wonderful for a friendly game with tackles flying in and the game having a 'competitve' feel.

Morocco presented with a wonderful chance to make it 2-0 and again the build-up play is excellent as Ziyech fires over with the Chelsea player just unable to get swerve on the left footed strike.

The goal has fired up the fans with a wonderful noise level being generated now at the Ibn Batouta Stadium. Over 60,000 fans packed into the Tangier stadium.

A touch of tension now in the game as the Tunisian referee needs to impose his authority as Militao loses his temper. 

A counter from the home side and Brazil this time are caught in defence and what a finish from the Al Rayyan man as he swivels and catches Weverton out with the finish into the corner of the net.

VAR still looking back at the play.

Yes, confirmed the referee has his hand up and it looks like Vini's elbow was in an offside position.

Bonnou will be concerned with his mistakes.

So close from Morocco as Mazraoui drives inches wide with the Brazilian keeper.

What a mess from Bonnou as he gives the ball away and in the next step is on hand to save ... a let-off for the home side.

Bright play from both teams but we have seen a limited amount of action in each box with just that effort from Rony to talk about in terms of scoring chances. Despite some fine build-up play, Weverton (in the Brazil goal) has yet to be called into action.

Some wonderful link-up play from Morocco as they put together a series of one touch passes but the move breaks down on the edge of the box and Brazil rob and break.

Past the 15 minute mark and it's the home side slightly dominating proceedings in terms of possession.

There is a fine tempo to the game as the first chance of the night falls to debutant Rony as the No. 22 drives over the bar.

Vinicius and Rodrygo combine for the first time but the home side are alert and avert the danger. Brazil turning up the heat ever so slightly now.

Ounahi fouled and it's Morocco who look the sharper side as Brazil have yet to enjoy any decent possession. We've yet to see the likes of Vini Jr and Rodrygo get on the ball. 

Good pace to the start of the game with both teams not holding back in tackles despite the game being a friendly game.

Bright start from the home side as they have enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening phase of the contest.

Tonight's venue in Tangier will unquestionably be one of the venues at the 2030 World Cup should the Spain/Portugal and Morocco bid win out.

All set .... Morocco v Brazil is underway as the home side start the game.

We'll have a minute of silence to commemorate the passing of Pele with tonight's game the first Brazil international since his death in December.

Impeccably observed !

Sadok Selmi (Tunisia) is tonight's referee with VAR also being used for the game.

Morocco national anthem ... Wow ... what noise...as over 60,000 fans sing with passion and pride.

A wonderful tifo greets the Atlas Lions with the words 'Morocco is leading African football' visible.

A few yellow clad fans here tonight but red is the predominant colour in the stand.

National anthem time with first up Brazil.

Packed house in Tangier awaits

Over 60,000 fans packed into the Ibn Batouta Stadium in the north of the country with the game.

The teams makes their was from the tunnel.

Less than 15 minutes ahead of kick-off. 

A fascinating encounter in-store between Africa's finest against the Samba Kings from Brasil.

For those who witnessed Argentina's recent game against Panama last Thursday, expect similar scenes tonight in Tangier as Morocco play in front of a home crowd for the first time since their incredible heroics in Qatar.

A reminder of the teams for today's friendly contest in Tangier.

Morocco qualify for CAN 2023 without playing

Morocco qualified for the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN Côte d’Ivoire-2023), following the draw between South Africa and Liberia in Group K, Friday night at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

The two teams are now on one point while Morocco leads the group with 6 units.

The Moroccan side previously beat South Africa (2-1) and Liberia (2-0), in the two previous games of this group which has only three teams with the top two progressing.

Morocco check out the Ibn Batouta Stadium

60,000 fans are anticipated tonight at the home of Botola Pro side IRT Tangier with huge demand to see both the visiting side as well as the local heroes who made it to the semifinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Morocco are next in action on Tuesday as they head to the Spanish capital of Madrid to face Peru. 

That game against the 'Bicolor' takes place at Atletico Madrid's Civitas Metropolitano stadium.

Brazil have no further games on the schedule as yet with the Seleçao set to get their 2026 World Cup campaign underway in the month of September.

Atlas Lions XI announced

Walid Regragui has named his starting line-up for the Brazil friendly game with Besiktas defender Romain Saiss captaining the team.

18-year-old Bilal El Khannous gets a second cap with Sevilla striker En Nesri set to lead the line for the home side. 

Morocco dressing room is ready

Less than an hour to go ahead of kick-off in Tangier and as we await the Morocco line up, the dressing room for the Atlas Lions is ready.

Third meeting between Morocco and Brazil

The only two previous matches between Brazil and Morocco were in 1997 and 1998, with two wins for the South American nation.

The first game was staged at the Estádio Mangueirão, in Belém (PA) with the Seleçao bagging a 2-0 win.

The second match was part of the 1998 World Cup with a 3-0 Brazil win with goals from Rivaldo, Bebeto and Ronaldo with the victory seeing Brazil advance to the round of 16.

CBF confirm Brazil XI

And indeed... confirmation, debuts for Andrey Santos and Rony for Brazil as they take on Morocco in Tangier.

Still waiting for confirmation of the starting line-up for the Atlas Lions.

Vasco da Gama's Andre Santos also in-line to make his first full team appearance for the Seleçao as the conveyor belt of Brazilian talent shows no sign of letting up.

Sports Centre reveal Brazil XI

According to the Brazilian outlet, this is the starting XI to be used by Ramon Menezes tonight with Palmeiras striker Rony set to make his senior debut as he partners Rodrygo and Vino Jr. in attack.

Bonou: 'Morocco now fear no-one'

The Sevilla and Morocco stopper spoke to the BBC ahead of Saturday's game as the broadcaster showcased the Atlas Lions and their incredible World Cup feat in becoming the first ever African nation to reach that advanced stage if the competition.

MOR-BRA: match day weather

It's a mild late March evening in Tangier with a current temperature of 63F/16C which are ideal conditions for players and spectators alike.

New faces for Brazil

Temporary Brazil head coach Ramon Menezes has called up ten newcomers as the Brazilian national team makes its 2023 debut against the semifinalists of the 2022 World Cup in Tangier with the action at the sold-out Ibn Batouta stadium getting underway at 6pm (ET).

Among them are five from the South American U-20 Championship with keeper Mycael, defenders Arthur, Robert Renan, midfielder Andrey and centre forward Vitor Roque all looking to pull on the famous yellow shirt for the first time at senior level.

Brazil dressing room is ready

Brazil will sport their iconic yellow shirts tonight in Tangier with Morocco also set to don their classic colours of red shirts, green shorts and red socks.

The stage is set in Tangier

The Ibn Batouta Stadium looking resplendent earlier bathed in the March sunshine.

Tonight's game is being played at a later kick-off due to Ramadan which commenced last Wednesday. 

INTERNATIONAL

Real Madrid star to wear tribute Pelé Brazil ‘10’ shirt

The Brazilian team will honour the legend with a special shirt that will bear his name, and we now know the current star who’ll wear the historic jersey.

Morocco-Brazil

Expectation at an all time high in the Northern Moroccan city of Tangier with local fans anxious to see their World Cup heroes on home soil.

Tonight's game is the first activity for both the Atlas Lions since their World Cup heroics when Walid Regragui's men became the first African nation ever to reach the semi-final and Brazil who were eliminated on a penalty shoot out after a tie with Croatia after 120 minutes of action in the quarterfinals.

The match will staged at Tangier's Ibn Batouta Stadium home to top flight side Ittihad Tangier with all 60,000 match tickets sold out for the visit of the Seleçao.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as Morocco face Brazil in a high profile international friendly game in Tangier.