By Yomi Kuku, Toronto Canada
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi welcomed his side’s hard-earned 1-1 draw against Brazil but insisted the Atlas Lions must continue improving if they are to achieve their ambitions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain full-back was one of Morocco’s standout performers during a gripping Group C encounter at MetLife Stadium, helping the African champions frustrate tournament favorites Brazil and secure a result that further underlined their growing stature on the global stage.
Yet despite the historic nature of the draw, Hakimi was already focused on what comes next.
“We have to improve match after match,” the Moroccan captain said after the final whistle.
“It wasn’t easy, we faced one of the World Cup favorites. It’s a draw, but a good match. We will learn from our errors.”
Hakimi’s assessment reflected the maturity and ambition of a Moroccan squad that has steadily evolved from surprise package to genuine contender on the international stage. Rather than celebrating a point against the five-time world champions, the captain emphasized the lessons that could help Morocco become even stronger as the tournament progresses.
Morocco once again demonstrated the qualities that have made them one of football’s most respected national teams in recent years.
After Ismael Saibari gave the Atlas Lions a deserved first-half lead, Morocco matched Brazil’s technical quality and tactical discipline for long stretches before Vinícius Júnior restored parity for the South Americans. The result left Morocco well positioned in Group C and reinforced their reputation as one of the tournament’s most difficult opponents.
Hakimi’s influence was evident throughout the contest.
Tasked with containing Brazil’s dangerous attacking threats while also providing an outlet going forward, the Moroccan skipper delivered another composed display under immense pressure. However, his performance was not without controversy.
One of the major talking points of the match centered on a robust challenge involving Hakimi and Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior during a fiercely contested period of the game.
The incident sparked immediate debate among analysts and former players, with opinions divided over whether disciplinary action should have been more severe.
Adding to the controversy was a separate challenge involving Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães and Hakimi later in the match.
Former Egypt international and prominent beIN SPORTS analyst Mohamed Aboutrika offered a strong assessment of both incidents during the broadcaster’s post-match coverage.
“Hakimi’s challenge on Vinícius deserved a red card, and Bruno Guimarães’s challenge on Hakimi also deserved a red card,” Aboutrika said.
His comments immediately fueled discussion among supporters and pundits, with many debating whether the referee had been overly lenient in a match that featured several physical confrontations between two highly competitive sides.
Despite the controversy, neither incident resulted in a dismissal, allowing both teams to finish the match with eleven players on the field.
The officiating decisions ultimately did little to overshadow what was another landmark result for Moroccan football.
The draw saw Morocco become the first non-European nation to avoid defeat against Brazil in the Seleção’s opening World Cup match and extended the Atlas Lions’ growing reputation for competing successfully against the sport’s traditional powers.
For Hakimi, however, the focus remains firmly on the future.
Morocco’s next group-stage assignment against Scotland now takes on added significance, with qualification for the knockout rounds firmly within reach.