Brazil went into its night game against Haiti knowing that anything less than victory would leave it under heavy pressure going into the final round, after a modest draw in its opening match against Morocco. Despite an unconvincing first half, the Seleção led 3-0 at halftime thanks to two goals from Matheus Cunha and one from Vinícius.
Cunha, Manchester United’s striker, was handed a starting spot after coming off the bench in Brazil’s first match and delivered a major response. The 27-year-old had scored only once in 25 appearances for Brazil before this game, and with his brace he tripled his international goal total.
Brazilian media hailed him as the team’s “new number 9.” The outlet Noite de Copa wrote that after the 2020 Olympics, many expected Cunha to be Brazil’s key striker in 2022, and that in 2026 he is finally arriving at the World Cup and answering the expectations placed on him. Local coverage also said he offers Brazil much more than goals, often drifting from the center forward role to the left wing and at times resembling a playmaker more than a classic striker.
His second goal drew especially strong praise. Athletic described it as a “spectacular finish,” while FOX Deportes said he had done it again with an excellent finish and called Cunha “unstoppable.”
