Saturday’s match between Brazil and Morocco was nearly a lifetime in the making for New York native Roland Guaman.
The Washington Heights resident was 10 when the World Cup came to the Meadowlands in 1994, so 32 years later, he made sure he didn’t miss out when it returned. Guaman was among the 80,663 fans who made the trek to MetLife Stadium and saw Brazil and Morocco play to a 1-1 draw.
“I’ve been waiting a long time, I couldn’t let this opportunity go,” he told The Post before walking into the stadium.
Guamnan was a neutral Saturday — he’ll be pulling for Ecuador during the World Cup — but there was plenty of Brazil yellow dispersed around the stadium Saturday. Behind one goal, Brazilian supporters chanted, banged on drums and waved flags for the better part of the 90-plus-minute match, which was the World Cup opener for both nations.
Swaths of Moroccan red were also seen in various sections and brought energy of their own as the Atlas Lions dominated the first half of the match, finishing the first 45 minutes with an xG of 1.28 and having 12 total shots.
“There’s not a lot of us here when you look at the stadium,” said Zara, a Moroccan fan living in Manhattan and originally from the North African nation. “But you see pockets of red, and that’s always nice to hear. I also have my friends texting me from back home who are watching it on TV, saying, ‘Oh, we hear you guys. We hear the Morrocans, we hear the chants,’ so I’m feeling proud to be here.”
There was no shortage of characters on hand roaming about the stadium.
Mahwah, N.J., resident Manny Contreras sported a Team USA-themed luchador outfit for the match, posing with fans from both Morocco and Brazil who were charmed by the getup.
“I was here back in 1994 when we had the World Cup and 32 years later, I’m back again,” he said, also mentioning he was saving to come to the final on July 19. “I have the final off the World Cup 30 minutes from where I live, I’m not going to miss it.”
Polido, who is at his third World Cup and traveled from Brazil, wore a football-themed Brazil get-up complete with a football helmet and a soccer ball-shaped football.
Brazil had entered Saturday’s match with plenty of pressure on the South American nation as it looks to win its first World Cup in 24 years.
Nevertheless, Morocco came out of the gate strong and was first to strike on American soil.
Brahim Díaz sent a lead pass through Brazilian players to Ismael Saibari and he was able to chip it over Brazil goalkeeper Alisson for the goal in the 21st minute.
Brazil answered back in the 32nd minute off the skill of star Vinícius Jr, who scored a highlight reel goal dancing around the Moroccan defense and then finding the back corner of the net.
Brazil played Saturday’s match without star Neymar, who has been dealing with a calf strain.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters on Friday that he expects Neymar to “recover and rejoin the group next week.”