World Cup: Lucas Paquetá backs Ancelotti over Brazil v Haiti picks

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Coluna do Fla

·21 June 2026

World Cup: Lucas Paquetá backs Ancelotti over Brazil v Haiti picks

What did Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo midfielder, say after the Brazil vs Haiti match?

The Brazilian National Team claimed its first World Cup win by defeating Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia, United States. One of the standout players for the ‘Seleção’, Lucas Paquetá spoke about his partnership with Bruno Guimarães in midfield.

Ancelotti knows our characteristics and our understanding on the pitch very well. Bruno Guimarães and I, in particular, know each other very well, since our time at Lyon (FRA). That’s why we understand each other so well on the pitch. Now, we have to keep growing so we can improve even more,” said Paquetá.

Just like in the opening match against Morocco, Ancelotti once again started Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, and Lucas Paquetá in Brazil’s midfield. If the trio did not perform as expected in the first match, the scenario changed against Haiti.

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With plenty of possession for much of the match, Brazil’s midfielders had a lot of freedom to ‘float’ around the pitch. And it was precisely in one of those situations that Lucas Paquetá delivered a beautiful pass for Vini Jr to score the ‘Seleção’s’ third goal on Friday (19).

HOW DID VINI JR’S GOAL HAPPEN IN BRAZIL VS HAITI IN THE WORLD CUP?

Late in the first half, Lucas Paquetá controlled the ball and provided an excellent assist for Vini Jr. With his first touch, Brazil’s number 7 burst toward goal and, as the Haitian goalkeeper came off his line, slotted the ball into the back of the net at the stadium in Philadelphia, United States.

It is important to point out that this chemistry between Vini Jr and Lucas Paquetá is nothing new. Besides their many appearances together for Brazil, the duo have known each other since their youth-team days at Flamengo. The players even featured for Mengão’s senior team before moving to Europe.

WHAT IS BRAZIL’S SITUATION IN WORLD CUP GROUP C?

So far, Brazil has four points, the same total as Morocco. However, the ‘Seleção’ is top of Group C because it has the better goal difference. Finally, Scotland sits in third place with one point, while Haiti has none.

SEE THE WORLD CUP GROUP C STANDINGS1st | Brazil | 4 points | GD: 32nd | Morocco | 4 points | GD: 23rd | Scotland | 1 point4th | Haiti | 0 GD = Goal difference.

WHAT IS BRAZIL’S NEXT WORLD CUP MATCH?

With Lucas Paquetá available, Brazil will wrap up the World Cup group stage next Wednesday (24) against Scotland. In short, the match kicks off at 8 p.m. Brasília time in Miami, United States. Coluna do Fla TV will cover the match details on YouTube, as well as on its website and social media.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.