Cunha must seize Brazil starting spot after Igor Thiago flops against Morocco

Matheus Cunha has a chance to force his way into Brazil’s starting lineup after Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to pick Brentford striker Igor Thiago ahead of the Manchester United forward backfired in a 1-1 World Cup draw with Morocco.

Ancelotti had opted for Thiago on the basis that his physicality would help Brazil win aerial duels and hold the ball up. “For this game, Igor is strong, he’s aggressive, he can fight for the ball in the air,” the Italy-born coach explained. “I believe Igor can be good for the team in this game. It’s the small details that determine which player is chosen.”

Those small details quickly became large problems. Thiago managed just 16 touches and five completed passes before being withdrawn in the 61st minute, having also squandered a first-half header and drawing sarcastic cheers from the crowd when he failed to execute a dummy. Morocco overwhelmed Brazil for long stretches, exposing the limitations of a game plan built around aerial presence.

Cunha’s introduction lifted Brazil’s play, though Ancelotti was still visibly animated on the touchline, reportedly furious at the 27-year-old for his positioning during attacking phases. The reaction suggests Ancelotti has high expectations of Cunha — which is itself an argument for starting him.

Brazil now face Haiti, and the question of who leads the attack will dominate Ancelotti’s thinking. The options are Thiago, Cunha, Endrick, and Neymar — though the latter is nursing an ankle injury that makes a start from the first whistle unlikely.

Cunha arrives at the tournament in strong form, having scored seven of his 10 United goals in the second half of the club season. His ability to play centrally — demonstrated during his time at Wolves — and his tendency to drift inside from the left wing make him a natural fit for the role Brazil need filled. Under Michael Carrick at United, Cunha has operated within a fluid front three alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, interchanging positions to stretch defences and create space.

The logic behind starting Thiago against Morocco was defensible on paper, but the match quickly made clear that Brazil cannot rely on long balls to a target man in the heat of a World Cup group stage. Keeping possession and linking play on the ground is how Brazil’s best sides have historically thrived, and Cunha is far better equipped to provide that than Thiago proved to be.