Politics
Cunha hits Brazil double against Haiti to seal first World Cup 2026 win
JA
Jack Turner
3 weeks ago7 min read
Matheus Cunha announced himself on the international stage in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, scoring twice as Brazil secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The Manchester United forward, who has often been deployed in a supporting role for the Seleção, seized his opportunity with a performance that blended clinical finishing with intelligent movement, providing the spark that Brazil needed to kick off their road to the tournament in style.The match, played at the Estádio Nacional in Brasília, saw Brazil dominate possession from the first whistle, but it was Cunha who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Picking up a threaded pass from midfield maestro Bruno Guimarães, the 25-year-old cut inside his marker and unleashed a low, driven shot that nestled into the far corner of the net. The goal was a testament to his growing confidence after a strong season at Old Trafford, where he has become a key figure under Erik ten Hag. Brazil’s second came just before the half-hour mark, this time from a set piece. A corner from Raphinha was met by the head of Marquinhos, whose effort was parried by the Haitian goalkeeper, but Cunha was quickest to react, stabbing home the rebound from close range to double the lead.Haiti, ranked 87th in the world, showed resilience and organization in defense, particularly in the second half, but they struggled to create meaningful chances against a Brazilian backline marshaled by veteran Thiago Silva. The visitors’ best opportunity came in the 55th minute when forward Duckens Nazon broke free on the counter-attack, only to see his curling effort tipped over the bar by Alisson Becker. Brazil’s third goal arrived in the 78th minute, a moment of individual brilliance from Vinícius Júnior, who danced past two defenders on the left flank before squaring for substitute Gabriel Martinelli to tap into an empty net. The result was never in doubt, but the performance highlighted the depth of talent at manager Fernando Diniz’s disposal as he experiments with a fluid attacking system.For Cunha, the brace was a personal milestone. Having previously struggled to cement a regular starting spot in a squad brimming with attacking riches, his display against Haiti served as a powerful statement of intent. “He’s been working incredibly hard in training, and tonight he showed exactly what he can bring to this team,” Diniz said in the post-match press conference. “His movement off the ball and his composure in front of goal were outstanding. This is just the beginning for him.” The victory also marked Brazil’s first win in the 2026 qualifying cycle, a crucial three points that puts them level with Argentina and Uruguay at the top of the South American standings, albeit with a game in hand.Looking ahead, Brazil face a sterner test in their next qualifier against Colombia next month, a match that will likely determine the early frontrunner in the group. Diniz will be encouraged by the fluidity of his midfield trio—Guimarães, Paquetá, and Casemiro—who controlled the tempo against Haiti, but questions remain about the defensive solidity when facing more potent attacks. The Seleção have now won 12 of their last 14 matches against Caribbean opposition, but the real challenge will come against the traditional powerhouses of the continent. For now, though, the focus is on building momentum, and Cunha’s emergence as a reliable goal-scoring option adds a new dimension to a team that already boasts the likes of Neymar, Richarlison, and Rodrygo.The broader context of this qualifier cannot be ignored. FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has altered the dynamics of qualification, with more slots available for CONCACAF and CONMEBOL nations. Haiti, despite the loss, remain in contention for a historic first appearance at the tournament, with their next fixture against Jamaica seen as a must-win. For Brazil, the objective is clear: secure qualification as early as possible and fine-tune a squad capable of ending a 24-year wait for a sixth World Cup title. If Cunha continues in this vein, he may well be the unexpected hero who helps them achieve that goal.
#featured
#Brazil
#World Cup 2026
#Matheus Cunha
#Haiti
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