Brazil Cruise Past Haiti 3-0 to Go Top as Caribbean Side Become First Team to Exit World Cup

Brazil thrashed Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia, sending Haiti out of the 2026 World Cup as the tournament's first eliminated team.

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha scored twice as Carlo Ancelotti's side bounced back from criticism following their opening draw with Morocco. Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, though not in the way he would have drawn it up. 

After goalkeeper Johny Placide pushed away a shot from Vinicius Jr, the ball cannoned off defender Hannes Delcroix and looped into the net. Cunha reacted fastest to the loose ball as it bounced around the box.

The Brentford-turned-United striker, who started in place of Igor Thiago, doubled the lead in style nine minutes before halftime. Vinicius Jr played him through, and Cunha drilled a shot into the top corner.

Vinicius Jr got his own goal moments later, finishing off a brilliant move in first-half stoppage time. Lucas Paqueta lofted a pass over the Haiti defense, and the Real Madrid forward calmly slotted it past Placide for his second goal of the tournament.

Brazil's only setback came when winger Raphinha had to be substituted in the first half with an injury. Bournemouth's Rayan came on in his place.

Haiti pushed for a way back into the game and came close in the second half when Ricardo Ade rose to meet a corner, only for goalkeeper Alisson to make a strong save to keep the clean sheet.

Brazil thought they had a fourth late on when teenager Endrick scored on his World Cup debut, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The win puts Brazil top of Group C, ahead of Morocco on goal difference, with a final group game against Scotland still to come. Haiti, meanwhile, are out of the tournament after back-to-back defeats, with no path left to the knockout rounds even if they beat Morocco in their final game.