Brazil finally got their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it was a little bit of everything. Matheus Cunha looked the part of a Seleção No. 9. Vini Jr. was on fire. Paquetá pulled strings in midfield. And two teenagers named Rayan and Endrick made their World Cup debuts, just as everyone hoped they would.
The final score was 3-0 over Haiti. It sounds straightforward, and for a while it was. But if you watched the second half, you know Brazil didn’t exactly cruise. They came out flat after halftime, and social media had plenty to say about it.
The good, the very good, and the second half
First, let’s talk about Cunha. Brazil’s No. 9 jersey has been a burden for years. Since the days of Ronaldo, it’s felt like a curse. But against Haiti, Cunha played like he actually wanted to be the guy. He scored, he held up the ball, and he moved like a striker who knows the weight of the shirt. Fans online were quick to call him O Nosso 9 — “Our No. 9.” That’s not nothing.
Vini Jr. was the other standout. He danced. He dribbled. He made Haiti’s defenders look like they were stuck in mud. One fan posted a clip of him with the caption “He REALLY danced,” which is about as perfect a summary as you’ll get. Brazil needed a performance like that from their best player, and he delivered.
But then came the second half. The pitch looked like it might have been a factor — bumpy and slow — and Brazil’s rhythm completely disappeared. They weren’t pressing. They weren’t creating. Some fans called it “below expected.” Others were more direct: “People were being pretty harsh…” one user wrote, trailing off, as if even they weren’t sure how to defend what they saw.
Still. Three points are three points. And Brazil has two young forwards — Rayan and Endrick — who got their first taste of World Cup action. That matters. Especially when you’re chasing a sixth star.
On the other side, Haiti competed. They didn’t get blown out. They had moments. But they couldn’t finish, and Brazil’s defense — with a few nervy moments — held firm when it had to.
Next up for Brazil? They’ll need to be sharper from start to finish, especially against stronger opponents. But for one night, the No. 9 looked like a real option again. Vini looked like a star. And the Hexa dream stays alive.
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