Cunha scores twice for Brazil against Haiti to seal first win of World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 news

Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha scored Brazil’s first two goals in a 3-0 win over Haiti as FIFA action draws to a close.

Vinícius Junior scored and assisted one of Matheus Cunha’s two goals as five-time champions Brazil knocked Haiti out of the World Cup with a 3-0 victory.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, which took part in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, became the first team to be confirmed not to reach the finals. Meanwhile, the Selecao got the performance they needed on Friday.

Cunha, a Manchester United star, started by showing in every swimming and sliding festival why he deserved to be in the starting line-up in Brazil’s incredible 1-1 draw against Morocco. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti made a surprising decision instead to bring on Cunha as a late replacement.

Cunha delighted the Brazilian fans who made up the majority of the 68,324 spectators at the Philadelphia Stadium when he scored his first World Cup goal. He then sent a shot into the top left corner to take a 2-0 lead in the first half against the victorious Haitians.

Brazilian striker Raphinha, who was injured in the first half, had the first goal disallowed on a call that only momentarily brought the yellow-clad Seleção fans to a standstill during the festive season at the home of the two-time Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles – whose cheerleaders did their part to rally the crowd.

Haitian fans danced and sang “Grenadye Alaso” (“Grenadiers to the Attack”), the traditional cry of the national team. The Brazilians chanted repeatedly, reminding them that their country is the champion of the World Cup five times and the home of the king of football: “A thousand goals, a thousand goals, a thousand goals, a thousand goals, a thousand goals! Pele, only Pele!”

Cunha added to the frenzy in Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian immigrants, when he showed off his famous flood celebration.

Vinícius, whose 32nd-minute goal helped Brazil beat Morocco, helped Brazil get on the board when his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Johny Placide and Cunha was there to make it 1-0. Cunha stretched out both hands as if he wanted to catch the sweet waves and his teammates killed him.

Vinícius went through the defense to find Cunha and he lifted one into the net that Placide had no chance of stopping to make it 2-0. Cunha got down on his stomach and took a swim that both put Haiti in a drink – confirming the decision of Brazilian fans not to try to destroy and wear a statue of Rocky in the team’s kit because of the tragedy.

Vinícius closed the half with a goal and it was enough to keep Brazil – seeking their first World Cup title since 2002 – happy before they close Group C against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Neymar missed the second consecutive game in Brazil due to a calf injury.