Brazil beats Haiti 3-0 as Cunha scores twice
Matheus Cunha’s first World Cup goals helped Brazil take its first 2026 win and ended Haiti’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Brazil claimed its first win of the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Haiti in Group C on Friday, the Associated Press reported. The result ended Haiti’s chance of reaching the knockout rounds and gave the five-time champions a needed response after opening with a draw.
Matheus Cunha scored twice for Brazil, while Vinícius Junior added a goal and set up one of Cunha’s finishes, according to AP. Haiti, appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, became the first team in the tournament ruled out of knockout contention.
Cunha, who plays for Manchester United, was handed a start by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti after coming off the bench late in the 1-1 draw with Morocco, AP reported. He made the most of the change, scoring his first career World Cup goal when he converted a rebound after goalkeeper Johny Placide stopped a shot from Vinícius.
The goal put Brazil ahead in front of a crowd of 68,324 at Philadelphia Stadium, where AP reported Brazilian supporters made up much of the attendance. Cunha celebrated with his familiar surfing gesture as teammates gathered around him.
Brazil doubled its lead before halftime after Vinícius slipped a pass through the Haiti defense to Cunha, AP reported. Cunha struck left-footed into the upper left corner, leaving Placide with no chance to keep it out.
Vinícius then scored before the break to make it 3-0, according to AP. His goal followed his scoring contribution in Brazil’s opener against Morocco, when he had helped the Selecao secure a 1-1 draw.
Brazil also had an early goal by Raphinha disallowed for offside, AP reported. Raphinha was later substituted in the first half because of an injury.
The match carried a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, according to AP. Haitian supporters sang “Grenadye Alaso,” the national team’s traditional battle cry, while Brazilian fans answered with chants referencing Brazil’s five World Cup titles and Pele.
AP reported that Philadelphia is home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian immigrants, adding to the size of the Brazil contingent at the match. The game was played at the home stadium of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, whose cheerleaders also appeared during the event.
Neymar missed Brazil’s second straight match because of a lingering calf injury, AP reported. Brazil, seeking its first World Cup title since 2002, closes Group C play against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.