Matheus Cunha nets twice: Brazil march into World Cup round of 32

Brazil vs. HaitiWorld Cup · Group Stage - 22026-06-20T00:30:00+00:00

Brazil3:0Haiti

A harsh foul by Arcus in the fourth minute showed early on just how defensively tense Haiti were coming into this game. Brazil were undeterred and took control – with 57 per cent possession and a passing accuracy of 88 per cent, Carlo Ancelotti's side dominated for long stretches.

The opening goal arrived in the 23rd minute after a shot from Vinicius Junior that Haiti's goalkeeper Johny Placide could only parry. Matheus Cunha was perfectly positioned to convert the rebound. For Cunha, who had started on the bench against Morocco, it was his first World Cup goal.

Thirteen minutes later Cunha struck again: Vinicius Junior sent him into the penalty area with a through ball and Cunha finished with a left-footed shot into the top-left corner – 2-0 in the 36th minute. In the 40th minute Raphinha was forced off with an injury, with Rayan coming on as his replacement.

Brazil put the game to bed in stoppage time at the end of the first half: Lucas Paquetá lifted the ball over the Haitian defence, Vinicius Junior ran clear on Placide and in the 45th+3rd minute slotted the ball through the goalkeeper's legs. The 3-0 scoreline at half-time meant the match was already decided.

After the restart Haiti made a double substitution, bringing on D. Simon for Arcus and W. Isidor for Pierrot. Brazil managed their lead, with Cunha replaced by Endrick in the 64th minute. Both teams made a further four changes in the middle portion of the half without altering the scoreline. In the 81st minute Brazil rotated twice more: Danilo Santos came on for Vinicius Junior and Ederson replaced Bruno Guimarães. Haiti also made a substitution, with Etienne Bellegarde coming on.

Match Events

1. 4'Yellow Card: C. Arcus (Haiti)
2. 23'⚽Goal: M. Cunha (Brazil)
3. 36'⚽Goal: M. Cunha, Assist Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
4. 45+3'⚽Goal: Vinicius Junior, Assist Lucas Paqueta (Brazil)
5. 45+4'Yellow Card: F. Pierrot (Haiti)
6. 65'Yellow Card: Douglas Santos (Brazil)
7. 72'Yellow Card: D. Jean Jacques (Haiti)

The statistics underlined the overall picture: Brazil's xG of 1.5 dwarfed Haiti's figure of 0.25 – the scoreline was a fair reflection of how the game played out. Cunha was undeniably the standout performer: two goals, four duels won and 64 minutes on the pitch. Vinicius Junior contributed a goal and an assist and was involved in all three strikes.

For Haiti it was a second defeat in two group games and the end of their World Cup campaign – 52 years after their last appearance at a World Cup, the side were eliminated in the group stage once again. Brazil sit top of Group C with four points and face Scotland in their final group fixture.