Brazil looked nothing like the team that stumbled through a 1-1 draw with Morocco just days ago. On Friday night in Philadelphia, they played like a team that remembered it had something to prove. And Matheus Cunha was the one who made sure they did.
The Manchester United forward scored twice before halftime as Brazil rolled past Haiti 3-0. It was the kind of performance that quiets critics fast — especially after all the noise about the Selecao’s sluggish start to the World Cup.
Cunha got the first goal in the 23rd minute. It wasn’t pretty. Haiti’s Hannes Delcroix tried to clear, but the ball ricocheted off Cunha’s body and trickled into the net. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get things moving. His second goal was a lot cleaner. Vinicius Junior slipped him through and Cunha blasted it into the top corner with the kind of finish that reminds you why he’s starting over Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti had Cunha in the lineup from the jump, and the 27-year-old rewarded that faith. In 64 minutes he had 41 touches, won 80 percent of his duels, and got five recoveries. Nothing flashy. Just solid. Just effective. Just the kind of shift Brazil needed.
Vinicius Junior had been involved in the buildup to both of Cunha’s goals, and before the half ended he got one for himself. Lucas Paqueta lobbed a ball over the top and Vinicius chased it down, waited for Haiti’s keeper to commit, and slid it under him. That made it 3-0 and the game was effectively over.
Haiti came out with more energy after the break. They pushed a little harder, tried to create something. But Brazil’s defense wasn’t having it. No panic. No close calls. Just a comfortable win that put Brazil in a strong position to advance out of the group.
Up next is Scotland, who lost 1-0 to Morocco earlier in the day. That result keeps the group wide open. Scotland still has a shot at the knockout rounds. So do Morocco and Brazil. The final matchday should settle everything.
Cunha might have quieted some doubts about his spot in the starting 11. At least for now. And for a Brazil team that was getting roasted for its opening performance, that’s a good problem to have.
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