Brazil Slams Three Past Haiti in Philadelphia
June 19, 2026 | Group C | Philadelphia Stadium
It took Brazil a while to find their rhythm, but once the five-time champions got going there was no stopping them. Matheus Cunha scored twice and Vinícius Júnior added a third as the Seleção brushed aside Haiti 3-0 at Philadelphia Stadium, moving to the top of Group C and ending the Caribbean side's hopes of advancing.
The opening twenty minutes carried a hint of the frustration that had marked Brazil's insipid opening draw against Morocco. Raphinha thought he had broken the deadlock in the 12th minute, latching onto a Bruno Guimarães through ball and finishing well, only for the flag to correctly rule him narrowly offside. Ten minutes later he was sent clear again but lifted his effort wide, the offside flag raised once more. Haiti's high defensive line kept inviting runners in behind, and it was only a matter of time before Brazil made it count.
When the breakthrough came, it came in a flood. Vinícius turned provider first, firing a shot that Johnny Placide could only parry, and Cunha was on hand to bury the rebound in the 23rd minute. Thirteen minutes later the Manchester United forward had his brace, drilling home a powerful finish after another Vinícius assist. Then, deep in first-half stoppage time, Vinícius went from creator to scorer, timing his run onto a lofted Lucas Paquetá pass and slotting past Placide to make it three. All three goals arrived before the interval, and the contest was effectively over.
Haiti, to their credit, refused to fold after the restart. Ricardo Adé rose to meet a corner and forced Alisson into a point-blank save that denied Haiti their first World Cup goal since 1974. At the other end substitute Gabriel Martinelli clipped the crossbar, Endrick had an effort chalked off for offside, and Wilson Isidor drew another strong stop from the Brazil keeper. In stoppage time Dominique Simon tried his luck from distance, but Alisson was equal to that too.
Brazil finished with a 3-0 win, three points, and top spot in Group C on goal difference ahead of Morocco. The result confirmed Haiti's elimination after their earlier loss to Scotland, though their fans stayed loud to the final whistle. For the Seleção, it was the kind of clinical first-half performance that hinted at the level they can reach when the machine finally clicks into gear.
[Photography by Trey Madara]
