The Brazilian national soccer team took a commanding 3-0 halftime lead against Haiti in their second FIFA World Cup Group C match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Forward Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and doubled the lead with a precise left-footed strike into the top corner.
He justified his first start of the tournament under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Vinicius Junior, celebrating his 500th professional career appearance, scored the third goal in stoppage time following an assist from Lucas Paqueta.
Brazil entered the game under immense pressure after a disappointing 1-1 opening draw against Morocco, where the midfield struggled to control the pace.
Barcelona winger Raphinha was forced off early in the first half due to an apparent muscular injury and was replaced by Rayan.
"We started very badly," Ancelotti said regarding the tournament opening performance. "For sure, we need to hold the ball more.
We have to move better. Maybe the team was a bit anxious, very nervous.
The second half was better, but it was still difficult, and I am sure we will evolve."
Vinicius Junior reached his career milestone at age 25, having played 209 of his professional games under Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
"It is very easy to speak.
He was always the best coach I had, who gave me the most confidence, with whom I played best," Vinicius said.
"At Real I play many games, here in the Selecao there are few.
Here, if you lose a game, you lose confidence, you lose the direction of where you want to go.
The World Cup has arrived, it is eight games, we can change history. Everyone is prepared to make a beautiful history," he added.
His childhood coach recalled his early days in the Flamengo youth system in Sao Goncalo, where he started at age six.
"He was faster, he already knew what he was going to do with the ball when it arrived, while the others of the same age still stopped to think.
When he was around 8 years old, we started taking him to competitions and there we saw that there was something different in his hands," said Cacau.
Star forward Neymar missed the match entirely, remaining in New Jersey to continue his rehabilitation from an injury ahead of the final group stage fixture against Scotland.
"Were you missing me?" Neymar asked during a recent training session integration.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva commented on Neymar's tournament selection despite his ongoing fitness issues.
"The first squad member in smart working in the world," Lula said during a public event.
He also asked a young child who the best player on the national team was, and the child replied, "Neymar."
Haiti attempted to respond before the break through a powerful header from defender Ade following a corner kick, but Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson managed a high-handed save to preserve the clean sheet.
