Making Haiti the First Team Eliminated in the 2026 World Cup, Brazil Has Found a Way to Win

JAKARTA - Vinicius Junior scored a goal and assisted for one of Matheus Cunha's two goals as Brazil eliminated Haiti from the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 victory on Saturday, June 20, 2026 WIB.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere that qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, became the first team to be confirmed not to reach the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the Selecao got the decisive performance they needed.

"We played a complete game, especially in the first half. In the second half we controlled the game. Overall we played a good game," said Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti after the match.

Cunha, a Manchester United star, started and showed with every goal celebration why he should be in the starting lineup in Brazil's 1-1 draw against Morocco.

Ancelotti made a surprising decision in the opening match against Morocco by bringing Cunha on as a substitute late in the game.

Only, the performance against Haiti seemed to confirm that the Manchester United striker was not worthy of being on the bench.

Cunha proved to the delight of the Brazilian fans - the majority of the 68,324 spectators - at Lincoln Financial Field when he pounced on a rebound for his first goal at the 2026 World Cup. Then he sent a left-footed shot into the top left corner for a 2-0 lead in the first half against a hapless Haiti.

However, Ancelotti has other considerations. Cunha's big contribution in the match against Haiti has not guaranteed his position in the starting lineup.

The Italian coach looks more at the opponent he faces. He needs to arrange the right players to be effective in threatening the opponent.

"For this match, Mateus Cunha's position is the right position to create problems for their defense. He moves well, he receives a breakthrough pass."

"He can be a solution. However, in the next match I may change it," said Ancelotti.

Brazil striker Raphinha, who was replaced with an injury in the first half, had his goal disallowed for offside, which only dampened the cheers of the Selecao fans wearing yellow outfits amid the festive atmosphere at the home of two-time Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles.

Haitian fans danced and sang "Grenadye Alaso" ("Grenadiers to the Attack"), their national team's traditional war cry.

Brazil's supporters responded by chanting, reminding them that their country is a five-time World Cup champion and home to the king of football: "One thousand goals, one thousand goals, one thousand goals, one thousand goals, one thousand goals! Only Pele, only Pele!"

Cunha added to the merriment in Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian immigrants, as he showed off his usual surfing celebration.

"To be able to wear the number 9 jersey at the World Cup - I try to look at the positive side. You know that so many great players have worn that jersey and played for Brazil."

"Now you're just one name away from being in the history books to have the opportunity to do the same thing. The jersey burden is part of whatever number you wear."

"You see the stadium is packed today. That's Brazil, the streets are full of people. I see it more as a privilege than a burden to bear," Cunha said after the match.

Vinicius, whose goal in the 32nd minute helped Brazil draw against Morocco, helped Brazil score the first goal when his shot was stopped by goalkeeper Johny Placide and Cunha was there to grab the rebound and make it 1-0.

The Real Madrid striker then passed the ball through the defense to find Cunha. He immediately fired a hard shot into the goal that Placide couldn't stop to make the score 2-0.

Vinicius closed the first half with a goal and it was enough to make Brazil - who are aiming for their first World Cup title since 2002 - happy before the game ended.

Brazil then failed to score in the second half against a tough Haiti and Endrick's goal was ruled offside.

"Our system changed a little, we hit the post, we had a goal that was disallowed. We could have played better (in the second half), we were a little less intense. However, we also need to think about the upcoming matches," Ancelotti said about the second half.

Neymar missed Brazil's second consecutive match due to a lingering calf injury.

Meanwhile, Brazil will close the Group C match against Scotland in Miami Gardens, Florida, in the middle of next week.