PHILADELPHIA, June 20, 2026 — Brazil secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti on Friday night, with Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha leading the way as the five-time world champions moved closer to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup.
The defeat officially eliminated Haiti from the tournament, making them the first team unable to advance beyond the group stage. The Caribbean nation, competing in its first World Cup since 1974, struggled to contain a dominant Brazilian side.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha justified his inclusion in the starting lineup by scoring twice in the first half. His performance came after criticism of Brazil’s attacking display in their 1-1 draw against Morocco, where he was used only as a substitute.
Cunha opened the scoring after Vinícius Júnior’s shot was saved by Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide. Reacting quickest to the rebound, Cunha tapped the ball into the net for his first-ever World Cup goal.
The Brazilian striker doubled the lead shortly afterward when Vinícius threaded a precise pass through the Haitian defense. Cunha finished emphatically with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner, leaving Placide with no chance.
Vinícius then capped off an impressive first-half display by scoring Brazil’s third goal before halftime, effectively ending the contest and delighting the large Brazilian contingent among the 68,324 spectators at Lincoln Financial Field.
Brazil’s evening was not entirely positive, however. Star winger Raphinha was forced off in the first half with an apparent injury after having an earlier goal ruled out for offside.
Meanwhile, veteran forward Neymar missed his second consecutive match as he continues to recover from a lingering calf injury.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was lively throughout the match. Haitian supporters passionately sang and cheered for their team, while Brazilian fans responded with chants celebrating their nation’s rich football history and legendary icon Pelé.
The victory keeps Brazil firmly on course for a place in the knockout rounds as they prepare to face Scotland in their final Group C match on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Seleção are aiming to capture their first World Cup title since 2002.
For Haiti, the defeat ends hopes of advancing, but their return to the World Cup stage after a 52-year absence remains a significant achievement for the nation.
