Brazil dispatches Haiti 3-0 as Cunha brace and Vinicius Jr. strike seal Haiti's elimination from World Cup 2026

Commanding first-half display

Brazil took control early, with Raphinha's disallowed offside goal at 12 minutes signalling intent. The breakthrough came at 23 minutes: Vinicius Jr.'s shot was parried by goalkeeper Johnny Placide, and Matheus Cunha bundled home the rebound. Cunha doubled the lead at 36 minutes, firing a left-footed finish into the net after Vinicius Jr. slipped a pass through a stretched defence. Vinicius Jr. made it 3-0 deep into first-half stoppage time, running onto a Lucas Paquetá ball and slotting past Placide. By the interval, the match was effectively over.

Raphinha injury concern

The only negative for Brazil was the loss of winger Raphinha, who felt discomfort in the back of his thigh in the 39th minute and was substituted. He had been one of the most threatening players, forcing an offside call with an earlier finish and drawing a save from Placide. Raphinha had only recently recovered from a right adductor injury, and his early exit raises questions about his availability for the remainder of the group stage. Carlo Ancelotti will await a medical report.

Quiet second half and elimination secured

After the break, Brazil managed the tempo, making substitutions as Ancelotti rotated his squad. Haiti, coached by Sebastien Migne, could not muster a response and failed to register a shot on target. The 3-0 result, combined with Morocco's 1-0 win over Scotland earlier in the day, left Haiti with zero points from two matches and confirmed their elimination before the final round of fixtures. They are the first nation to be mathematically out of the tournament.

Group C picture

Brazil and Morocco sit atop Group C with four points apiece, while Scotland holds three points. On June 25, Brazil face Scotland and Morocco play Haiti, with all three teams still able to advance. Brazil needs only a point to guarantee progression, but Ancelotti's side will be keen to secure top spot and avoid a potentially tougher knockout route.

We have to improve our balance and the quality of our game. I think we have the quality to play a more entertaining match.