A clinical, devastating first-half blitz powered Brazil to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over a spirited but outclassed Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday. The win catapulted the Seleção to the top of Group C and, in the same breath, made Haiti the first nation to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coming off a frustrating opening-game stalemate against Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti's men arrived in Philadelphia with a point to prove and wasted absolutely no time proving it. Matheus Cunha, the Manchester United forward who has been one of the revelations of Brazil's qualifying campaign, broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a composed, clinical finish that immediately settled the Seleção's nerves. Cunha then demonstrated his predatory instincts in the 35th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the Haitian box and drilling home his second of the evening to give Brazil a commanding cushion.
First-Half Dominance
The contest was effectively sealed deep into first-half injury time, when Vinícius Júnior — already with a goal to his name from the Morocco draw — ghosted in behind the exhausted Haitian backline and slotted home with trademark composure to make it 3-0 before the break. It was a scoreline that rendered the second half a formality, though Haiti refused to simply roll over.
Haiti's Fight and Alisson's Heroics
Frantzdy Pierrot's side reorganised at the interval, fought with remarkable pride, and carved out two genuine chances to pull a goal back. But Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker stood like a colossus between the sticks and produced two world-class, point-blank saves to deny Ricardo Adé and Dominique Simon in quick succession, snuffing out any hope of a Haitian consolation and maintaining the Seleção's clean sheet.
Group C Standings
With Morocco beating Scotland 1-0 in the day's earlier fixture, Brazil and the Atlas Lions are now level on four points at the summit of Group C. Goal difference separates them, with Brazil's superior return of plus-three giving them the edge. The Seleção face Scotland next, a match in which nothing less than victory will suffice for Steve Clarke's men.
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