World Cup 2026: Brazil cruise past Haiti 3-0 as Cunha brace banishes opening-day nerves
A first-half blitz by Matheus Cunha and Vinícius Júnior gave Brazil a comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia, their first victory of the tournament.
Sharp first half seals it
Brazil needed a response after drawing Morocco, and they delivered it inside 45 minutes. Matheus Cunha, starting in place of Igor Thiago, profited from a rebound after goalkeeper Johny Placide parried a Vinícius Júnior drive (23'). The ex-Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig forward, now at Manchester United, then hammered a second into the top corner following another Vinícius assist (36'). Vinícius himself added the third deep in stoppage time, finishing off a fast break started by Lucas Paqueta.
- Cunha scores on rebound after Placide save (23')
- Cunha fires into top corner from Vinícius pass (36')
- Raphinha injured and substituted (40')
- Vinícius Júnior finishes fast break (45+3')
The only blemish for Brazil was the early exit of Raphinha. The Barcelona winger, ruled offside on what would have been the opener, limped off in the 40th minute and is now a doubt for the final group match against Scotland.
Haiti out but not overawed
Haiti, ranked 84th, were already chasing a miracle. Their best moment came on 63 minutes when Ricardo Adé headed against an alert Alisson Becker. The Caribbean side, playing at only their second World Cup since 1974, pressed for a consolation but lacked the cutting edge to truly test the Seleção.
- Brazil
- 4
- Haiti
- 2
Coach Sébastien Migné’s team became the first to be eliminated from the tournament. They will conclude their campaign against Morocco, still searching for their first World Cup goal in 52 years.
Neymar still sidelined
Superstar Neymar missed his second straight game with a lingering calf problem. The 34-year-old, now at Santos FC, has played just four international matches since leaving Paris Saint‑Germain in 2023 and is rehabbing at the team base in New Jersey. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who made two changes to the lineup that faced Morocco, said he would not rush the forward back for the Scotland clash.
Group C picture
Brazil top the group on four points, while Haiti sit bottom with no chance of advancing. The Seleção face Scotland on Wednesday, with a draw sufficient for a last‑16 spot. Haiti’s final group match is the same night against Morocco.
