SAO PAULO — Brazil needed a statement game after stumbling out of the gate against Morocco. They got one Friday night against Haiti, and it took less than 45 minutes to all but seal it.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, then doubled the lead 13 minutes later. By the time Vinícius Jr. curled one in just before halftime, the scoreboard read 3-0 and the game felt functionally over. Haiti had few answers for Brazil’s front line, which looked far sharper than it did in the group opener.
That opener, a 1-1 draw with Morocco, left Brazil sitting on one point and facing questions about their defensive discipline. Morocco finished fourth in 2022 and made life difficult for the Seleção, but Friday’s performance was a reset. Brazil pressed early, held possession cleanly, and turned chances into goals with a clinical edge that was missing the first time out.
Vinícius Jr. now has goals in back-to-back World Cup matches, which is a good sign for a team that leans heavily on its wingers to create chaos. Cunha’s brace gives Brazil multiple scoring threats in the attack, and the team goes into the break with real momentum.
The win puts Brazil in strong position to advance to the Round of 32. With three points in hand and a goal differential that just got a lot healthier, they can approach the final group match with options. A draw might be enough depending on other results. But after Friday, they probably aren’t thinking about draws.
Haiti showed fight in stretches but couldn’t match Brazil’s pace or technical quality. Their best chance came late in the first half, but Brazil’s goalkeeper handled it without much trouble. Against a team this talented, you can’t afford to miss those moments.
Brazil’s next match will determine their seeding in the knockout stage. If they keep scoring like this, opponents in the Round of 32 have reason to be nervous.
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