Before the break, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Brazil on multiple occasions. Raphinha had a left footed effort from the centre of the box saved, and Igor Thiago had a left footed shot from the left side of the box saved in the top centre of the goal by Bounou after a Lucas Paquetá assist. Brahim Díaz also had a right footed shot from the centre of the box saved for Morocco, while Achraf Hakimi missed from outside the box.
Discipline and stoppages shaped the opening half. Casemiro and Roger Ibañez were both booked for bad fouls, and the fourth official announced four minutes of added time. Play was also held up for a drinks break and later for an injury to Bounou.
Both sides turned to their benches before the break. Brazil brought on Fabinho for Casemiro, Danilo for Roger Ibañez, Luiz Henrique for Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha for Lucas Paquetá, and Danilo Santos for Bruno Guimarães. Morocco brought on Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab for Bilal El Khannouss, Anass Salah-Eddine for Noussair Mazraoui, and Chemsdine Talbi for Bilal El Khannouss.
Action continued with Brazil pressing from corners conceded by Azzedine Ounahi and Mazraoui, Marquinhos heading wide from a Raphinha cross, and further fouls and free kicks involving Fabinho, Gabriel Magalhães, Vinícius Júnior, and several Morocco players including Achraf Hakimi and Neil El Aynaoui. Morocco had Ismael Saibari flagged offside before the delay for Bounou's injury.
