The result
Brazil needed a statement, and in Philadelphia they got one. A 3-0 win over Haiti sent Carlo Ancelotti's side to the summit of their World Cup 2026 group and gave the Seleção the kind of clean, controlled performance they had been chasing.
Matheus Cunha was the headline act. The forward opened the scoring on 23 minutes when an attempted Hannes Delcroix clearance deflected off him and rolled in, then doubled his tally just after the half-hour, lashing into the top-left corner after being played through by Vinícius Júnior.
The Vinícius finish
Vinícius capped the first half with a goal of real composure. Lucas Paquetá lifted a pass over the Haiti back line, and the winger took a touch before sliding his finish through the legs of goalkeeper Johny Placide. It was his second strike of the tournament and a reminder of why Brazil are still rated among the favourites.
Two more goals, from Raphinha and substitute Endrick, were chalked off for offside, but by then the result was long settled.
One worry for Ancelotti
The night was not all good news. Raphinha went off holding his hamstring and was described afterwards as "very upset" — a potential blow for a side that leans heavily on its wide players heading into the knockout rounds.
What comes next
Top spot puts Brazil on the friendlier side of the bracket for now. The job from here is managing fitness and keeping the front line sharp. Follow the rest of our football coverage for what happens next.
