Brazilians bleed for draw, Aussies shock Turks

LOS ANGELES — Five-time winners Brazil needed a superb Vinicius Junior equalizer to draw 1-1 with Morocco in their opening game at the World Cup on Saturday as Australia conjured a stunning 2-0 upset of Turkey.

On the first day to feature four matches at the expanded 48-team tournament, Qatar won the first World Cup point in their history when Miro Muheim’s own goal earned the 2022 tournament hosts a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Scotland meanwhile marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a nervy 1-0 win over Caribbean minnows Haiti in Foxborough, outside Boston.

The meeting of Brazil and 2022 semifinalists Morocco at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City promised to be one of the early highlights.

Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point, cutting in from the left and unleashing a thunderous shot to level on 32 minutes.

Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but Saturday’s performance suggests there Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a lot of work to do.

“I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. I think the team was a bit anxious and nerves were all over the place,” said Ancelotti.

“We didn’t play well, but we cannot lose heart. This is the first match in the World Cup and we can’t... think the team is doing perfectly from the get-go.”

In Group C’s other game on Saturday, Scotland  – playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 -–were roared on to a hard-fought win over Haiti, themselves playing in their first World Cup since 1974.

Hordes of Scotland’s famous “Tartan Army” travelling supporters packed the Gillette Stadium, to watch manager Steve Clarke’s side claim their first victory in a World Cup game since the 1990 finals in Italy.