EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Morocco’s opening FIFA World Cup match ended in a 1-1 draw Saturday, and late in the first half the contrast between Brazil’s Casemiro and Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi was stark.
For years Casemiro has been a benchmark defensive midfielder, anchoring Real Madrid and winning five UEFA Champions League titles, but against Morocco the report said he appeared to look every one of his 34 years: legs heavy, reactions slow, arriving late to duels and eventually replaced at half-time.
The report described 18-year-old Lille midfielder Bouaddi, making his competitive debut for Morocco, as upright, composed and in control of the midfield, at times looking as though he had been playing at this level for a decade.
Bouaddi finished with 87 touches — more than any Moroccan — and completed 91 percent of his passes, the report said. Only Brazil centrebacks Gabriel and Marquinhos saw more of the ball, no Brazilian completed as many successful dribbles as Bouaddi, and only Lucas Paquetá drew more fouls.
He also made several important defensive contributions, won the ball back four times and interrupted Brazil’s rhythm, according to the report. The account highlighted moments when he rolled away from two challenges and evaded Bruno Guimarães with a casual body feint.
The report said Bouaddi showed shades of Rodri in his organisation, applauded a teammate late in the game and gave no impression of being a debutant at a World Cup. The piece added that one of the pair has been consigned to Manchester United’s past, while the other is increasingly discussed as part of a Premier League future.
