Brazil vs Haiti: Winners & losers - Cunha's brace powers commanding response

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·20 Juni 2026

Brazil vs Haiti: Winners & losers - Cunha's brace powers commanding response

Brazil responded to their opening draw against Morocco with a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Haiti, as Matheus Cunha's first-half double and Vinicius Junior's stoppage-time strike settled the Group C encounter at Lincoln Financial Field. All three goals came before the break, leaving Brazil in a strong position heading into their final group match against Scotland. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Brazil v Haiti.

Winners

Matheus Cunha (Brazil)

Matheus Cunha delivered the match-defining performance Carlo Ancelotti needed, scoring twice in the first half to put Brazil firmly in control. His introduction to the starting lineup paid immediate dividends, with the striker capitalizing on opportunities with clinical left-footed finishes that effectively ended the contest before half-time.

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Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Johny Placide had saved Vinicius Junior's initial effort. He doubled Brazil's lead in the 36th minute with another left-footed finish following Vinicius Junior's assist, showcasing his predatory instincts and intelligent movement inside the penalty area.

The two-goal cushion Cunha established gave Brazil complete control of the match and allowed Ancelotti to preserve his key players for the decisive final group game against Scotland. His performance justified his selection ahead of other attacking options and provided the response Brazil desperately needed after their opening-match stumble.

Vinicius Junior (Brazil)

Vinicius Junior produced a complete attacking display with direct involvement in all three Brazilian goals. His combination of individual brilliance, creative passing, and clinical finishing made him unplayable for Haiti's defence throughout the first half, cementing his influence as Brazil's most dangerous attacking threat in the tournament.

His shot was saved by Johny Placide for Cunha's opening goal, and he then provided the assist for the second with a pass inside after Lucas Paquetá's midfield recovery. Vinicius completed his personal involvement by scoring Brazil's third in first-half stoppage time, running onto Paquetá's through ball before finishing with his right foot.

Brazil's three-goal first-half blitz was built almost entirely through Vinicius Junior's influence on the left flank. His direct running and willingness to take on defenders drew double marking throughout, creating space for teammates and ensuring Haiti could never establish defensive stability against Ancelotti's attacking unit.

Loser

Carlens Arcus (Haiti)

Carlens Arcus set an unfortunate tone for Haiti's evening when he received a yellow card just four minutes into the match for a foul. The early booking immediately restricted his ability to challenge aggressively and limited Haiti's defensive options on their right flank during the crucial opening period when Brazil established dominance.

Playing under the constant threat of a second yellow card, Arcus struggled to impose himself in the defensive duels that followed. His caution allowed Brazilian attackers greater freedom in his area, and his attempts at attacking involvement down the right flank were similarly hampered by the need to avoid further disciplinary issues.

Sébastien Migné's decision to substitute Arcus at half-time underlined how the early booking had compromised his effectiveness. With Haiti already trailing 3–0 and needing to show greater aggression in the second half, the manager could not risk playing with a defender one challenge away from a red card that would have made their task impossible.