Former Chelsea midfielder and television pundit, Craig Burley, has offered a blunt assessment of Brazil following their 1-1 draw with Morocco in their opening FIFA World Cup group match, claiming the five-time world champions no longer intimidate top opponents.
Brazil, widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites, struggled to impose themselves in a tightly contested encounter against a spirited Moroccan side that matched them in intensity and tactical discipline throughout the game.
Morocco, led by Mohamed Ouahbi, started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 21st minute. PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari produced a composed finish, delicately lifting the ball over Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker to give the African side an early advantage.
Brazil responded in the 32nd minute through Vinícius Júnior, who restored parity with a moment of individual brilliance, showcasing the attacking quality that has made him one of the team’s key players.
However, despite the equaliser, Morocco remained the more organised and arguably more threatening side for long stretches of the match, limiting Brazil’s attacking rhythm and exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Following the match, Burley delivered a sharp critique of Brazil’s performance, questioning their aura and dominance on the international stage.
“[Brazil] don’t scare anybody. … They have moments, but they don’t frighten you,” Burley said, according to ESPN FC on X.
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His comments add to growing debate over whether Brazil’s current squad possesses the consistency and cutting edge traditionally associated with the national team, despite their individual talent.
Brazil are placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti, and are still widely expected to progress to the knockout stages. However, the draw against Morocco has raised early questions about their ability to dominate opponents as expected.
A victory in their opening fixture would have placed Brazil in a stronger position to top the group and avoid a potentially more difficult knockout path, making the dropped points a setback in their campaign momentum.