After Brazil’s first win of this World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti finally has a problem worth having. It’s not about tactics or formation or even that shaky second half. It’s about a 27-year-old forward who just reminded everyone why he was hyped in the first place.
Matheus Cunha didn’t just score against Haiti. He played the kind of match that makes a coach rethink his entire attack. Dropping deep, linking with Vinícius Jr., pulling defenders out of position — it was the sort of performance that turns a squad player into a starter. But here’s the thing: Ancelotti still has Endrick on the bench. And Neymar might be back soon. And Casemiro keeps getting picked.
The False Nine That Actually Worked
Cunha started as a false nine against Haiti, and it solved a problem Brazil has had for months. Ancelotti’s two-man midfield often leaves a gap between the middle and the forwards, but Cunha bridged that gap by drifting into space and bringing others into play. Raphinha stretched the defense wide. Vinícius Jr. had room to operate. Brazil looked dangerous for the first time in this tournament.
The first goal was ugly — a fortunate ricochet that Cunha bundled in — but sometimes that’s what it takes to get a team going. By halftime, Brazil was up 3-0, and the players walked off the field looking like surfers who’d just caught a wave. (Their celebration after the third goal was genuinely good.)
The Second Half Was a Problem
But here’s where it gets tricky. Brazil basically stopped playing after the break. Ancelotti’s team offered almost nothing in the second half, and Haiti actually grew into the game. A couple of corners caused real trouble, and a stronger opponent — say, the Netherlands in the round of 32 — would have scored.
Set pieces are clearly an issue. So is concentration when Brazil sits back. That lethargic second half didn’t exactly scream “team ready to win the whole thing.”
Casemiro Keeps Getting Picked and Nobody Knows Why
The 34-year-old was a passenger against Haiti. He got caught out against Morocco too, but Ancelotti keeps writing his name on the teamsheet. Brazilian fans have been asking for a three-man midfield with Botafogo’s Danilo for months. Instead, Casemiro keeps getting minutes while looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
If this continues, Brazil will lose the midfield battle against any team that presses them. That’s not speculation, that’s what happened in the second half against a team ranked way below them.
Endrick Might Finally Get His Shot
With Raphinha reportedly out of the tournament due to a recurring hamstring injury, the 19-year-old Real Madrid forward could be next in line. He’s had less than 20 minutes total so far, and social media has been loudly asking why. Cunha’s performance probably keeps Endrick on the bench for another match, but if Ancelotti brings on an unfit Neymar before giving the kid a run against Scotland, the press conference after will be uncomfortable.
Journalists are already circling. They want to know why a teenager with fresh legs isn’t getting time when the team clearly needs energy and movement. Ancelotti’s stubbornness on this is becoming a story itself.
Brazil looked better against Haiti. Ancelotti is closer to knowing his best XI. But closer isn’t there yet, and with Scotland up next and knockout round opponents lurking, the margin for error keeps shrinking.
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