Matheus Cunha, starting his first World Cup match for Brazil, scored twice as the five-time champions swept aside Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia, condemning the Caribbean side to an early exit from the tournament.
The Manchester United forward, who replaced Igor Thiago in the starting XI, justified Carlo Ancelotti's faith with a clinical performance that included a tap-in from Vinicius Jr's spilled shot and a blistering strike into the top corner after being played in behind. Vinicius Jr added a third, calmly slotting through the keeper's legs from a Paqueta lift.
“Matheus Cunha's double on his full debut sends Brazil past Haiti 3-0, eliminating the Caribbean side from the World Cup.”
Haiti, ranked 85th in the world to Brazil's 6th, became the first team eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, their search for a maiden tournament win continuing after a promising display against Scotland in their opener. The gap in rankings was the largest of any group game at this tournament, second only to Brazil's 2010 meeting with 105th-placed North Korea.
Brazil were without record scorer Neymar, who did not even travel the 100 miles south from the team's New York Red Bulls base, instead continuing his rehab from a calf injury. That prompted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to slam the No10 for 'working from home'.
Raphinha was forced off with a hamstring problem in the first half, replaced by Bournemouth's Rayan, while Haiti's Casimir also went down with a similar issue but stayed on. Haiti's frustration was compounded early when referee Alejandro Hernandez — who was fourth official during their controversial Scotland defeat — booked right wing-back Carlens Arcus in the third minute and awarded Brazil a corner after overturning a slow goal-kick, a decision that infuriated the Haitian bench.
Brazil's win moves them to four points after their opening draw against Morocco, while Haiti's hopes of a first World Cup point are over.