Cunha scores twice to stake his claim as Brazil's World Cup starter against Haiti

Matheus Cunha announced himself as a genuine contender for Brazil’s starting berth at the 2026 World Cup, scoring twice in the first half as Brazil defeated Haiti in Philadelphia to claim their first win of the tournament.

The Manchester United forward had been restricted to a substitute role in Brazil’s opening game against Morocco, but was handed his chance after Igor Thiago’s disappointing display. Cunha repaid Ancelotti’s faith emphatically, with two goals that carried very different flavours.

His opener owed something to fortune — a loose ball in the box ricocheted off him and into the Haiti net as a defender attempted to clear — but his second was a statement of intent. A perfectly timed run met a perfectly weighted Vinicius Jr. pass, and Cunha finished powerfully at the near post. He celebrated by belly-flopping toward the corner flag before rising into his trademark surf celebration, mobbed by teammates.

The goals came at a moment when Brazil’s attacking picture is suddenly unsettled. Raphinha limped off in the first half, leaving two spots in the front three alongside Vinicius Jr. open. With Neymar still absent through injury, Cunha’s performance — composed, direct, and confident well beyond his two finishes — made a compelling case that one of those spots is now his.

As United supporters have seen throughout his time in the Premier League, Cunha is most dangerous with the ball at his feet and space to carry into. Against Haiti, he did exactly that with ease and purpose on a night Brazil largely controlled.

Before the tournament, Cunha had spoken openly about his ambitions. “My dream is to be 100% involved in the run-up to the World Cup; whatever [Ancelotti] needs from me, I’ll try to do my very best,” he said. He had also framed the ultimate prize in personal terms: “To have an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup trophy — there’s not much more I could ask of God, really.”

Ancelotti, whose side dominated proceedings, offered a measured verdict after the final whistle. “We don’t expect it to be Vinícius’ World Cup,” the Brazil manager said. “We expect it to be Brazil’s.” Vinicius Jr. was named the official man of the match, but on this evidence, Cunha is determined to make the tournament his own.