Intro
Striker Matheus Cunha scored a spectacular first-half brace to guide Brazil to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti.
PHILADELPHIA
Striker Matheus Cunha created football history, scoring a spectacular first-half brace to guide Brazil to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti. The historic performance successfully reboots Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after a quiet start.
By scoring twice before the half-time whistle, Cunha secured a unique piece of World Cup history. This match marks the tenth time a Brazilian player has scored multiple goals in the opening half of a World Cup game, the most by any nation in the history of the tournament. The last Brazilian to achieve this impressive feat was Neymar against Cameroon back in 2014.
The Selecao entered the contest under immense pressure following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s squad showed clear intent from kickoff. While an early effort by Raphinha was ruled out for offside, the relentless pressure broke the Haitian defense midway through the first half.
Vinicius Junior unleashed a powerful strike that was parried away by Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide, allowing a fast-reacting Cunha to force the rebound over the line. Shortly after, Vinicius provided a perfectly weighted pass to Cunha, who confidently blasted the ball into the roof of the net at the near post.
The commanding victory moves Brazil to the top of Group C with four points, placing them in a prime position to reach the Round of 32. They will face Scotland in their final group match, while a brave Haiti squad is officially eliminated from the competition despite a spirited second-half performance.