Cunha scores twice as Brazil beat Haiti but Raphinha limps off with hamstring scare

Matheus Cunha scored twice to help Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dealt a significant blow when Raphinha was forced off after just 40 minutes with a hamstring problem.

The Manchester United forward, who earned his £62.5m move from Wolves partly on the strength of his performances as a makeshift centre-forward, vindicated Ancelotti’s decision to start him ahead of Real Madrid teenager Endrick. Cunha’s opener deflected in fortunately, but his second was struck with real conviction, and his link play helped unlock space for Vinicius Jr and Raphinha before the Barcelona winger’s evening was cut short.

Raphinha had a goal disallowed early on before Vinicius Jr coolly converted a third deep into first-half stoppage time. The result gets Brazil moving after last week’s underwhelming draw with Morocco at the MetLife Stadium, where Brentford striker Igor Thiago struggled to make an impact against the Atlas Lions.

The concern now centres on Raphinha’s fitness. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar appeared visibly worried after conducting initial assessments at pitchside. The former Leeds winger has recently been managing blisters, and muscle tightness this early in a potentially eight-game tournament is a serious issue for a player who functions as both captain figure and chief creator.

Bournemouth’s 19-year-old Rayan came on as a replacement, but placing the full creative burden of a demanding footballing nation on a teenager would be a significant ask.

Endrick entered the fray on 64 minutes to a deafening roar, even from behind the press-box glass. The 19-year-old Real Madrid forward is as popular as he is talented, and pressure will continue to grow on Ancelotti to hand him a starting role — particularly if Raphinha’s injury proves serious.

The absence of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, who scored 20 goals in his debut Premier League season, continues to raise eyebrows. But Cunha demonstrated on Tuesday night that he is a capable and intelligent option to lead Brazil’s attack, whatever the coming rounds may bring.