Matheus Cunha’s Haiti double offers Brazil a possible No 9 solution | OneFootball

Starting up front in place of Igor Thiago, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha scored twice in Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup win over Haiti, a display that could ease their long-running search for a centre-forward.

He struck first on 23 minutes after Vinicius Junior’s burst created chaos, then thumped a left-foot shot into Johny Placide’s top corner on 36 minutes. According to L'Équipe, Ronaldo rose from the official stand smiling as the second went in.

A former Lyon player came on after the hour at 65 minutes, later seeing a 78-minute finish ruled offside, with Cunha visibly disappointed for him. Vinicius capped the victory late on with a solo run.

This was Cunha’s best night for the Seleçao, his movement linking play far better than in the 1-1 draw with Morocco when Igor Thiago struggled to connect. He recovered five balls, second only to Lucas Paqueta’s nine, underlining a selfless shift.

Vinicius joked that Cunha rarely plays as a No 9 yet tends to score when he does, adding that Carlo Ancelotti had asked him to operate between the two centre-backs. Cunha said he does not see himself as an out-and-out striker and usually plays deeper or wider for his Manchester club, where he recorded 10 goals and 4 assists in 34 Premier League games.

Cunha, now on three goals in 25 caps at 27, noted Brazil’s automatisms remain a work in progress after limited preparation, though he felt the group is growing together. The Seleçao may have found their No 9 for this tournament at least, which removes one problem for Ancelotti.

Source: L'Équipe