PHILADELPHIA — Matheus Cunha scored twice and Vinícius Júnior added a goal as Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 on Friday to secure its first victory of the FIFA World Cup and eliminate the Caribbean nation from the tournament.The five-time world champions produced the response they needed after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, while Haiti became the first team officially eliminated from the expanded 48-team competition.”It was what I expected from this match,” Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said.Cunha, making his first start of the tournament, justified his inclusion with two first-half goals that helped Brazil take control at Lincoln Financial Field.The Manchester United forward opened the scoring after Vinícius Júnior’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Johny Placide, with Cunha converting the rebound for his first World Cup goal.He doubled Brazil’s advantage shortly afterward, finishing clinically from a through ball by Vinícius before celebrating with his trademark surfing gesture in front of the Brazilian supporters.Vinícius completed the scoring before halftime, capping a dominant first-half display by the South Americans.Brazil forward Raphinha had an early goal ruled out for offside before being substituted because of injury during the first half.Ancelotti also delivered encouraging news regarding Neymar, revealing that the Brazil captain is expected to return from his calf injury for the team’s final group match against Scotland next week.The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has missed the team’s opening two matches.”He’s a very important player. He’s my idol,” Vinícius said. “We hope he can play the next game and help us win the World Cup.”Brazil moved level on points with Morocco at the top of Group C, while Scotland remains one point behind heading into the final round of matches.The victory also highlighted Brazil’s attacking depth, with Cunha making a strong case for a regular starting role after appearing as a substitute against Morocco.For Haiti, qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 remains a significant achievement despite consecutive defeats.”What was positive was that we didn’t give up,” Haiti coach Sébastien Migné said. “They showed that they deserved to be here at the World Cup. Unfortunately, today we played against Brazil. There was too much of a gap.”Brazil will face Scotland in its final group match, with Neymar expected to return, while Haiti’s World Cup campaign comes to an end after two defeats.
PHILADELPHIA — Matheus Cunha scored twice and Vinícius Júnior added a goal as Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 on Friday to secure its first victory of the FIFA World Cup and eliminate the Caribbean nation from the tournament.The five-time world champions produced the response they needed after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, while Haiti became the first team officially eliminated from the expanded 48-team competition.”It was what I expected from this match,” Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said.Cunha, making his first start of the tournament, justified his inclusion with two first-half goals that helped Brazil take control at Lincoln Financial Field.The Manchester United forward opened the scoring after Vinícius Júnior’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Johny Placide, with Cunha converting the rebound for his first World Cup goal.He doubled Brazil’s advantage shortly afterward, finishing clinically from a through ball by Vinícius before celebrating with his trademark surfing gesture in front of the Brazilian supporters.Vinícius completed the scoring before halftime, capping a dominant first-half display by the South Americans.Brazil forward Raphinha had an early goal ruled out for offside before being substituted because of injury during the first half.Ancelotti also delivered encouraging news regarding Neymar, revealing that the Brazil captain is expected to return from his calf injury for the team’s final group match against Scotland next week.The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has missed the team’s opening two matches.”He’s a very important player. He’s my idol,” Vinícius said. “We hope he can play the next game and help us win the World Cup.”Brazil moved level on points with Morocco at the top of Group C, while Scotland remains one point behind heading into the final round of matches.The victory also highlighted Brazil’s attacking depth, with Cunha making a strong case for a regular starting role after appearing as a substitute against Morocco.For Haiti, qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 remains a significant achievement despite consecutive defeats.”What was positive was that we didn’t give up,” Haiti coach Sébastien Migné said. “They showed that they deserved to be here at the World Cup. Unfortunately, today we played against Brazil. There was too much of a gap.”Brazil will face Scotland in its final group match, with Neymar expected to return, while Haiti’s World Cup campaign comes to an end after two defeats.
