Cunha Double Powers Brazil Past Haiti in Group C

Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory over Haiti in their second Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in a dominant first-half display. The win at an unnamed venue lifted Brazil to four points, top of the group, while Haiti remained rooted to the bottom without a point.

Summary

From the opening whistle, Brazil asserted their technical superiority. Haiti, despite early resistance, were undone by a clinical first-half performance. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a well-taken goal, then doubled the lead 13 minutes later after a neat assist from Vinicius Junior. On the stroke of half-time, Vinicius Junior got on the scoresheet himself, converting Lucas Paqueta's pass to make it 3-0. The second half was a more controlled affair, with Brazil managing the game and Haiti unable to mount a comeback.

Brazil's dominance was reflected in the statistics: they held 57% possession, completed 88% of their passes, and registered five shots on target. Haiti, to their credit, had three shots on goal but lacked the cutting edge to trouble Alisson. The expected goals (xG) told a clear story: Brazil's 1.50 to Haiti's 0.25.

Key Moments

23' — Goal! Brazil 1-0 Haiti. Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock with a composed finish inside the box. The goal came after sustained Brazilian pressure, with Haiti unable to clear their lines.

36' — Goal! Brazil 2-0 Haiti. Vinicius Junior turned provider, slipping a pass through to Cunha, who slotted home his second of the night. Haiti's defense was caught napping, and Cunha made no mistake.

45' — Goal! Brazil 3-0 Haiti. Lucas Paqueta delivered a precise assist to Vinicius Junior, who fired past the Haitian goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt just before half-time.

Other notable incidents: Haiti's C. Arcus was booked as early as the 4th minute for a rash challenge, setting the tone for a physical encounter. F. Pierrot also saw yellow just before half-time. Brazil's Douglas Santos and Haiti's D. Jean Jacques were cautioned in the second half.

Match Analysis

Brazil's approach was methodical. They controlled possession without rushing, patiently building attacks through midfield. The trio of Vinicius Junior, Cunha, and Paqueta caused constant problems for Haiti's defense. Brazil's passing accuracy of 88% (461 accurate passes out of 522) highlighted their composure. Defensively, they limited Haiti to shots from outside the box, with the visitors managing just three shots on target.

Haiti, despite their defensive organization, struggled to create clear chances. Their xG of 0.25 reflects a lack of penetration. They did manage four shots off target and forced three saves from Alisson, but Brazil's backline, marshalled by Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, remained solid. The offside count (Brazil 8, Haiti 4) suggests Brazil's high line was effective in catching Haiti's forwards offside.

Player Performances

Matheus Cunha (Brazil) — Rating 9.3: The star of the show. Two goals from two shots on target, clinical finishing, and intelligent movement. He was a constant thorn in Haiti's side.

Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) — Rating 8.2: A goal and an assist. His pace and dribbling were too much for Haiti's full-backs. He linked up well with Cunha and Paqueta.

Marquinhos (Brazil) — Rating 7.9: Solid at the back with 81% pass accuracy. He helped keep Haiti's attack at bay.

Alisson (Brazil) — Rating 7.7: Made three saves when called upon, ensuring a clean sheet. His distribution was calm and composed.

Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil) — Rating 7.7: Partnered Marquinhos effectively, winning aerial duels and snuffing out danger.

Lucas Paquetá (Brazil) — Rating 7.3: Provided the assist for Vinicius Junior's goal and created two key passes overall. His creativity was vital.

Key Stats

• Possession: Brazil 57% — Haiti 43%
• Total Shots: Brazil 8 — Haiti 8 (Shots on target: 5-3)
• Expected Goals (xG): Brazil 1.50 — Haiti 0.25
• Pass Accuracy: Brazil 88% — Haiti 83%
• Fouls: Brazil 13 — Haiti 15
• Yellow Cards: Brazil 1 — Haiti 3
• Offsides: Brazil 8 — Haiti 4

What This Means

Brazil's victory puts them top of Group C with four points from two matches (one win, one draw). Their goal difference of +3 is a significant advantage. Haiti, meanwhile, have lost both matches and are bottom with zero points and a -4 goal difference, making qualification mathematically difficult. Brazil's next match will be crucial in determining group winners, while Haiti face an uphill battle to salvage pride.

What Happens Next

Brazil will look to build on this performance as they aim to secure knockout stage qualification. Their recent form shows a draw against Morocco and this win, so consistency will be key. Haiti need to regroup after two defeats, their only previous result being a 0-1 loss to Scotland. The group standings are tight behind Brazil, so Haiti's final match could still influence who progresses. For now, Brazil's fans can celebrate a convincing display.

For more on the tournament, check the fixtures and standings. Follow Brazil's campaign on their team page and Haiti's on their team page.