Cunha double and Vinícius goal fire Brazil to 3-0 win over Haiti, top Group C
Matheus Cunha scored twice and Vinícius Júnior added a third as Brazil cruised past Haiti 3-0, moving joint-top of Group C with Morocco and eliminating their opponents.
First-half blitz
Brazil seized control from the opening whistle and never looked back. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute (some outlets reported 24') after Vinícius Júnior's shot was parried and the ball ricocheted off a defender into Cunha's path. Haiti, determined to build from the back, attempted to retain possession but were punished again in the 36th minute when Lucas Paquetá dispossessed Casimir and fed Vinícius, whose cutback allowed Cunha to curl a precise left-footed finish under the crossbar. Vinícius then added a third in first-half stoppage time (48') after a through ball from Paquetá, coolly converting past goalkeeper Placide. Raphinha had an earlier goal disallowed for a marginal offside in the 12th minute, and the winger later limped off with a muscle injury at the 40-minute mark, replaced by Rayan.
Injury and recovery updates
Raphinha's muscle problem is a concern ahead of the final group match against Scotland, but Ancelotti received positive news on Neymar. The star forward, sidelined with a calf injury, will train individually on Saturday before rejoining the full squad on Monday. Ancelotti confirmed Neymar would be available for the Scotland clash.
In terms of intensity it was a good match. Obviously we still need to improve, and we will improve to be ready for the knockout phase.
Controlled second half
After the interval, Brazil managed the tempo, rarely forcing the issue. Haiti came closest when Adé rose to meet a corner in the 63rd minute, forcing a save from Alisson. Substitute Endrick, on for Cunha, thought he had scored in the 78th minute but was flagged offside. Haiti threatened again late with Kénoldy Isidor's effort, but Alisson preserved the clean sheet. The match ended without further incident, with Spain's referee Hernandez overseeing four yellow cards.
Group C standings
The victory lifts Brazil to four points, level with Morocco, after two rounds. Haiti, with two defeats, are mathematically eliminated. Brazil now face Scotland in a decisive fixture that will determine the group winner and likely a more favourable path in the knockout stage.
Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then join the group on Monday, and will be ready for the match against Scotland.
