Has Vinicius Jr brilliance just papered over the Brazilian cracks?

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Has Vinicius Jr brilliance just papered over the Brazilian cracks? Figure caption, Spectacular Vinicius Jr goal earns Brazil draw against MoroccoByNeil JohnstonBBC Sport journalist at New Jersey New York StadiumPublished33 minutes ago"I am not here to be the best player of the tournament," said Vinicius Jr on the eve of Brazil's opening World Cup game. "I am here to help Brazil get back to the top.

"And the supremely talented forward backed up his words on the pitch at the New Jersey New York Stadium. Trailing Morocco 1-0 and looking decidedly second best, the five-time world champions got back on level terms thanks to a moment of brilliance by Vinicius on the biggest stage of all. Receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area from Bruno Guimaraes' pass, the Real Madrid forward cut back inside on to his right foot before lashing a brilliant strike into the roof of the net.

The Details

It was a goal fitting for the World Cup, an outstanding moment of quality which dug his side out of a huge hole - and saved Brazil from losing their first opening game at a World Cup since 1934. Yet they were unable to go on and seal an opening win in Group C, with the match ending 1-1 after what former England captain Alan Shearer told Sport was a "ragged" Brazil performance. South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking to Sport, added: "Ideally you want the team to make the stars, here you have a case of the star saving the team.

"'We expected more from Brazil'Brazil fans worried by this performance should remember that this expanded World Cup - more than any other - is a marathon not a sprint. Remember Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in their first game in Qatar four years ago - and then going on to be crowned world champions? Brazil, seeking a first World Cup triumph since 2002, are still expected to progress to the knockout stage, and have Haiti next in Philadelphia on 19 June followed by Scotland in Miami on 24 June.

However, there will be concern that they looked second best to Morocco for long spells, devoid of the swagger we have come to expect from the nation that produced legends such as Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Zico. This squad, however, is overloaded with wingers and is lacking numbers in midfield. Casemiro, 34, showed his age as he toiled in the heat before he was replaced at half-time as Morocco dominated without adding to the lead given to them by Ismael Saibari.

What Experts Say

Defender Roger Ibanez also failed to return to the pitch in the second half as Carlo Ancelotti attempted to address the team's shortcomings. "We were expecting more from them," former Uruguay and Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet told Sport. "I was surprised how bad technically they were today.

I don't know if it was the pitch, maybe the pitch didn't help but they were missing passes, simple passes that you would expect the Brazilian players to do well. "Vickery added: "This is precisely why Brazil are so dangerous. How many teams can play that badly and still be in the game?

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.