Brazil cruises past Haiti 3-0 as Cunha bags brace in World Cup opener

Matheus Cunha needed just 13 minutes to turn Brazil’s World Cup opener from a competitive fixture into a comfortable evening. The striker found the net twice in the first half, at the 23rd and 36th minutes, as Brazil dismantled Haiti 3-0 in their Group C clash on June 19.

Cunha makes the most of his starting spot

Cunha’s selection was itself a storyline. He replaced Igor Thiago as Brazil’s central striker, slotting into an attacking trident alongside Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha. For Haiti, making their first World Cup finals appearance in over four decades, it was exactly that.

His first goal came in the 23rd minute, settling any early nerves the Seleção might have carried into the tournament. His second arrived at the 36th minute mark, just 13 minutes later, effectively ending the contest as a competitive affair before the teams even reached the tunnel for halftime.

Brazil added a third goal to complete the 3-0 victory, though it was Cunha’s brace that defined the match.

Haiti’s historic return meets a harsh reality

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature an expanded 48-team format. Haiti is returning to the World Cup finals for the first time in more than 40 years, having qualified through the CONCACAF region.

What this means for Group C and the tournament ahead

Brazil’s 3-0 win puts them in a commanding position in Group C from matchday one. With Cunha slotting in ahead of Igor Thiago and immediately delivering a brace, Brazil’s coaching staff now has clarity about who leads the line. Cunha’s chemistry with Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha looked fluid across the 3-0 result.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.