Brazilian media savage Casemiro after struggling display in Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti

Casemiro faced a barrage of criticism from Brazilian football media after playing the full 90 minutes in Brazil’s 3-0 Group C victory over Haiti at the World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia, with five of eight O Globo columnists naming the former Manchester United midfielder as their most disappointing performer on the night.

Matheus Cunha’s brace and a Vinicius Junior strike were enough to lift Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the top of Group C after they had been held to a draw by Morocco in their opener — a game in which Casemiro was substituted at half-time. Despite that early exit, the holding midfielder retained his place alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta for the Haiti fixture, only to draw fresh scrutiny from the Brazilian press.

O Globo’s panel of correspondents were asked to identify Brazil’s standout performers and those who fell short. Five of the eight pointed to Casemiro. “He struggled even against a much weaker opponent,” wrote one. “He hasn’t found his form in the competition yet. He seems lost, below his usual level,” added another. A third was more blunt: “It’s impressive how nervousness is coming from someone where experience was expected. Both performances so far are worrying. He could lose his place, which he only holds because of Ancelotti’s confidence in him.”

Two further critics were equally unsparing. “Luckily, it was Haiti. When pressured, he couldn’t hold up,” wrote one, while another concluded: “He couldn’t even defend well or organise the build-up play.”

Not all outlets shared that verdict. By the raw numbers, Casemiro finished the match having won the most duels of any Brazil player, made the most tackles, and earned the most fouls — a statistical picture that complicates the narrative of a player entirely off the pace.

Ancelotti, who defended Casemiro after the Morocco draw, has remained firm in his backing of the 33-year-old, who left Manchester United at the end of his contract this month. “They are good players. I think I made the right choices and I won’t accept any criticism of individual players,” the Italy coach said after the Morocco game. “If there is any criticism, it concerns the whole team. You can’t expect the team to be perfect from the start; you don’t win the World Cup in the first match. My confidence in the players is absolute.”

Brazil’s next test in Group C will determine whether Ancelotti’s faith in Casemiro holds — and whether the midfielder can silence his critics with a performance that matches the occasion.