While Brazil’s supporters clamoured for Neymar’s return and demanded Endrick’s promotion to the starting line-up, Matheus Cunha quietly went about answering every question with two goals and a performance that suggested the man nobody was talking about may just be the most important player in their squad.
Before the Haiti match, the questions were the same. When will Neymar be back? Is he fit? When will Endrick start, Carlo? Come on, please. Ancelotti, calm as ever amid the waves of criticism, gave little away. “Endrick is very talented, an extraordinary talent. But Endrick is patient. He’s in no rush.” Brazil, however, was.
So, Ancelotti turned instead to Cunha, one of two changes from the Morocco draw, handing the 27-year-old forward the number nine shirt that had belonged to Igor Thiago. It proved to be a masterstroke.
Cunha scored twice in a 13-minute spell in the first half as Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 20 June, producing their most convincing performance of the tournament and moving to the top of Group C on four points. Vinicius Junior added the third just before half-time to seal a comfortable victory that simultaneously confirmed Haiti as the first team eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.
Where Thiago had stood static in the box against Morocco, Cunha moved. He dropped deep to link with the midfield, allowed Vinicius to drift into pockets of space, pressed when Brazil did not have the ball and finished clinically when he did. The combination of Cunha, Vinicius and Lucas Paqueta offered the fluid, instinctive attacking play that had been missing in the draw with Morocco.
His first goal came in the 23rd minute, rebounding Vinicius’s shot and slotting calmly into the net after winning a physical battle with Haitian defender Hannes Delcroix in front of the six-yard box. His second was more emphatic, latching onto a Vinicius through ball before driving an exquisite left-footed finish into the top corner.
For Cunha, who was left out of Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad entirely, the moment carried enormous personal significance. “It’s really rewarding. We work so hard in pursuit of so many things, and goals are definitely one of the main focuses. Being able to score goals at the World Cup and help the team — that’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” he said.
“Not being at the other World Cup, imagining how wonderful it could have been, and being here now, doing everything we can to make it everything we’ve always dreamed of. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to make that dream come true and realising just how big that dream really was.”
He celebrated both goals by mimicking a surfer riding a wave. “I try to surf when I go to Brazil. They taught me how and now I’m considered a surfer guy. I go to Bristol but it’s so cold. I need to improve my level.”
Coach Carlo Ancelotti was measured but satisfied. “It was what I expected — better quality, fewer mistakes, more effectiveness. We improved and will improve for the next match. We believe we can beat any team and that includes France.”
Whether Cunha retains his place against Scotland remains uncertain. “He might,” was Ancelotti’s characteristically understated response when pressed on the matter.
The evening brought one significant concern. Raphinha was withdrawn in the 40th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The Barcelona winger has now gone seven World Cup appearances across 2022 and 2026 without a goal or assist, and his absence would be a blow regardless of Cunha’s heroics.
The bigger news came after the final whistle. Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar, recovering from a calf strain, is on course to return for the group finale against Scotland on 24 June in Miami. “Neymar will train individually tomorrow and on Monday he will train with the rest of the team. He will be available for the match against Scotland.”
Scotland, who lost 1-0 to Morocco earlier on Friday, arrive in Miami needing a result. Brazil lead Group C on four points, ahead of Morocco on goal difference, with Scotland on three. The knockout stage is within reach. And for once, it is Cunha’s name on everyone’s lips.
