PHILADELPHIA — Matheus Cunha rewarded manager Carlo Ancelotti’s confidence with his first two World Cup goals as Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory over Haiti on Friday, a result that was tempered only by Raphinha’s early injury exit.
Vinicius Junior also scored and was the creator on both of Cunha’s tallies.
An apparent leg injury forced Raphinha out in the 40th minute.
Overall, it was a much-improved effort from the Selecao’s 1-1 draw against Morocco to open the tournament and a result that puts Brazil (1-0-1, 4 points) above the Atlas Lions in Group C on goal differential.
Haiti (0-2-0, 0 points) became the first team eliminated from the World Cup with the loss and Morocco’s 1-0 win over Scotland earlier Friday.
Even so, they clearly enjoyed their second appearance at the tournament and first since 1974, and despite a lineup that suggested a low block, showed admirable endeavor before a vocal red-and-blue-clad minority.
Center back Ricardo Ade came closest to scoring for the Caribbeans after halftime when his flashing, near-post header from a corner forced Alisson into a strong reaction save.
Cunha was one of two changes by Ancelotti, slotted in for Igor Thiago at center forward. With the Manchester United man involved, the Brazilian attack looked much more connected than six days prior, albeit against a lesser opponent.
Eventually, they punished the Haitians’ enthusiasm after a bright first 15 minutes from the underdogs.
On Brazil’s first goal, Vinicius cut inside from the left and snapped a shot that Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide could only parry with a strong palm.
Center back Hannes Delcroix attempted to clear the danger, but Cunha pressured and ultimately forced the ball across the line in the 23rd minute for just his second career goal for the Selecao.
That connection again surfaced in the 36th minute on a counterattack stemming from a Haitian turnover.
Vinicius slipped a ball into the path of Cunha’s well-timed diagonal run, and while Cunha appeared to stumble, he still struck a strong finish into the top corner as Placide leaned in the wrong direction.
It wasn’t clear what led to Raphinha dropping to his haunches moments after the second goal, on a night when he had one apparent early goal ruled offside and another glaring miss nullified by a raised flag.
Vinicius’ tally came just before the halftime whistle when he ran onto Lucas Paqueta’s ball over the top and finished low past the charging Placide.
–Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media
