Casemiro played every minute of Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia – yet half of O Globo's panel of columnists and correspondents still chose him as the underwhelming performer. The former Manchester United midfielder, who left Old Trafford after his contract ended this month, has come under fire from Brazilian pundits following his World Cup 2026 display against Haiti.
Brazil, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, swept aside Haiti after being held by Morocco in their opening fixture. A brace from Matheus Cunha and a Vinicius Junior strike lifted them to the top of Group C. Casemiro, who had been particularly underwhelming against Morocco and was hauled off at half-time, once again partnered Bruno Guimaraes in midfield as a holding enforcer and helped keep a clean sheet.
“Casemiro criticised by Brazilian media despite playing every minute of Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti.”
Yet the criticism did not stop. One O Globo columnist observed: "He struggled even against a much weaker opponent and stood out in midfield, which featured Guimaraes and [Lucas] Paqueta who played well." Another said: "He hasn't found his form in the competition yet. He seems lost, below his usual level." A third went further: "It's impressive how nervousness is coming from someone where experience was expected. Both performances so far are worrying. He could lose his place, which he only holds because of Ancelotti's confidence in him."
A fourth columnist wrote: "Luckily, it was Haiti. When pressured, he couldn't hold up." A fifth delivered a damning verdict: "He couldn't even defend well or organise the build-up play."
Other outlets did not share this opinion. Casemiro completed the match with the most duels won, the most tackles and the most fouls won for his team. Ancelotti, who had defended his decision to withdraw Casemito at half-time against Morocco, insisted after that game: "They are good players. I think I made the right choices and I won't accept any criticism of individual players. If there is any criticism, it concerns the whole team."
Elsewhere at the World Cup, Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off under new rules preventing players from covering their mouths during a game. The red card came in a win over Turkey.