Brazil secured their first victory of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti on Saturday, sending the debutants crashing out of the tournament at the group stage. Vinícius Júnior scored and provided an assist for one of Matheus Cunha’s two goals as Brazil cruised to victory.
Haiti, which qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.
The Seleção, on the other hand, delivered the decisive performance they desperately needed. Cunha, who plays for Manchester United in the Premier League, opened the scoring early and celebrated like a true Brazilian.
He also justified why many felt he deserved a starting place against Morocco. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had made the surprising decision to bring Cunha on as a late substitute in Brazil’s opening match. More than 68,000 spectators, the majority of whom supported Brazil, erupted in joy as Cunha found the net.
It was his first-ever goal in the competition. He then scored his second with a superb left-footed strike into the top-left corner, giving Brazil a 2-0 lead before half-time against the overmatched Haitians.
Haitian fans danced and sang “Grenadye Alaso” (“Grenadiers to the Attack”), the traditional battle cry of their national team.
Brazilian supporters responded by chanting “A thousand goals, a thousand goals… Only Pelé, only Pelé!” The victory carried extra significance as Philadelphia is home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian immigrants. Brazil’s star player Neymar missed his second consecutive match due to a lingering calf injury
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