Cunha nets a brace in three minutes and Brazil beats Haiti with a historic goal in Group C

In Philadelphia, Brazil scored the 241st goal in its World Cup history — and, with it, overtook Germany as the top-scoring nation in World Cup final tournaments. The one who wrote himself into the record books was Matheus Cunha, on an afternoon when the Manchester United forward was simply unstoppable.

Two goals in three minutes (23' and 26') in the first half made him the first Brazilian to score a first-half brace at a World Cup since Neymar against Cameroon in 2014. Vinícius closed out the 3–0 at 47 minutes, early in the second half. Haiti had a late goal from an Endrick counter disallowed for offside, but the score was long since settled.

A first-ever World Cup meeting

Brazil and Haiti had never crossed paths at a World Cup. Haiti's only previous World Cup appearance was in 1974, in West Germany — fifty-two years between appearances. The most recent official meeting was Copa América 2016: Brazil 7, Haiti 1, with a Coutinho hat-trick.

Head-to-head between the teams

Brazil's Group C path

After the 1–1 draw with Morocco in the opening round, Brazil needed a win against Haiti to avoid trouble. Ancelotti adjusted the setup, gave Cunha freedom as a second striker alongside Vinícius in a 4-2-3-1, and the result came immediately. With the win, Brazil moved to 4 points and left the group-lead decision for the final matchday, against Scotland.

Haiti: the unlikely story of 2026

Haiti arrived at the World Cup as the tournament's most improbable story. They played the entire qualifying campaign without a single home match, using neutral ground due to political instability, and still qualified. They returned to a World Cup 52 years after 1974 — when they scored their historic only goal with Emmanuel Sanon against Italy. In 2026, they left Group C without a win, but with the certainty that just being there was worth decades.

Brazilian standouts

Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) was the man of the match — a brace in three minutes and the goal that put Brazil top of the all-time World Cup scorers list. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) reached his second of the tournament with a cut into the box and a cross-shot. And Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) once again ran the midfield with the same consistency as in the opener.

Haitian standouts

Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) was the most offensively adventurous, with runs in behind that at least twice unsettled the Brazilian defense. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolverhampton), valued at around €15 million, is the most valuable player in Haiti's squad and tried to give rhythm to the midfield. Frantzdy Pierrot, the 31-year-old veteran, embodied the symbolism of an entire generation that dreamed of a World Cup.

Match sheet

• 23' — Matheus Cunha (BRA), arrival in the box and left-footed finish
• 26' — Matheus Cunha (BRA), historic brace — first Brazilian with two first-half goals at a World Cup since Neymar in 2014
• 47' — Vinícius Júnior (BRA), cross-shot early in the second half
• ~85' — Endrick goal disallowed for a razor-thin offside
• Possession: ~65% – 35% | Shots: 7 – 7 | xG: 1.50 – 0.25

Both teams had exactly 7 shots — but Brazil's xG was six times higher. One team finished from prime areas; the other from distance. That's how the 3–0 in Philadelphia landed.