The Brazilian team established a solid 2-0 lead against Haiti in the first half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with striker Matheus Cunha being the highlight of finding the net twice before 40 minutes into the game. The match, which takes place in Philadelphia, is crucial to Brazil’s hopes in the group stage, and the center forward’s performance has been fundamental for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
The confrontation, valid for the group stage of the World Cup, began with the expectation of Brazilian dominance, and the first minutes confirmed this tone. The Canarian team pressed from the opening whistle, looking for spaces in the well-positioned Haitian defense. The Seleção’s technical superiority translated into ball control and offensive initiatives, although the goal took a while to come.
Initial dominance and the cancellation of a Raphinha goal
From the first moments, Brazil demonstrated its intention to control the actions. With overwhelming possession of the ball, the team exchanged passes and tried to infiltrate the opponent’s area. Five minutes into the first half, a decision by referee Alejandro Hernández, who reversed a goal kick for a corner in favor of Brazil, already signaled the pressure exerted. Carlo Ancelotti’s team showed that it would give Haiti no respite.
At 11 minutes, the Brazilian fans celebrated what would be the first goal of the match. Raphinha managed to score, showing his agility and eye for goal. However, the joy was short-lived, as the referee quickly signaled an offside, invalidating the move and keeping the score zero. This moment served as a wake-up call for the team, indicating that, despite their dominance, precision would be vital.
Matheus Cunha opens the scoring for the Brazilian team
Brazil’s persistence was rewarded in the 22nd minute of the first half, when Matheus Cunha finally opened the scoring. Cunha’s goal was a relief for the team and the fans, who saw the team creating chances without being able to achieve them. This first ball in the net solidified the Brazilian advantage and increased the confidence of the players on the field, who were looking to increase the score before the break. The striker’s performance, which had already been notable in other matches, gained even more weight.
The striker, who has proven to be a key player in Ancelotti’s tactical scheme, positioned himself well and finished with precision, giving the opposing goalkeeper no chance. This initial goal was the catalyst for an even more incisive performance by Brazil, which from then on intensified its attacks and sought to exploit the gaps in the Haitian rearguard. The team showed the tactical organization expected for a team aiming for the world title.
Matheus Cunha’s great goal and the extension of the advantage
In the 35th minute of the first half, Matheus Cunha shined again, scoring a great goal and extending the Brazilian lead to 2-0. The move demonstrated the quality and integration of the Brazilian attack. Paquetá stole the ball from Casimir, passed it to Vini Jr., who, with a keen vision of the game, threw the ball deep. Matheus Cunha received a free kick and, with a powerful left-footed shot, filled the net, consolidating his excellent individual performance.
This second goal by Cunha not only reinforced the lead on the scoreboard, but also raised the team’s morale, which began to play with even more lightness and confidence. The striker’s precision and strength in finishing are attributes that have attracted attention and make him one of the highlights of this World Cup. The vibration in the dugout and in the stands showed satisfaction with the partial result.
Concern about Raphinha’s physical condition
The joy of the goals was temporarily overshadowed by a moment of apprehension in the 38th minute, when Raphinha sat on the pitch, visibly worried about some physical issue. Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, from the technical committee, promptly attended to the player, who had an expression of discomfort. The situation raised alarm among the coaching staff, especially in a tournament as demanding as the World Cup.
The seriousness of Raphinha’s situation led to his immediate substitution, with Rayan taking his place in the 39th minute of the first half. The departure of a player so important to the Brazilian offensive scheme represents a challenge for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who will have to assess the extent of the injury and plan the next matches without his striker. Fans are eagerly awaiting news on the player’s condition.
Minute by minute: the crucial moments of the match
For you, Mix Vale reader, who don’t want to miss any details of this exciting clash, live minute-by-minute coverage on our portal is following every play. Stay up to date with the main plays, goals and decisive moments of this important game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To not miss any updates and receive the news instantly, directly on your device, subscribe to Mix Vale notifications for free at www.mixvale.com. Follow the highlights so far:
- 05′ 1T:After a dispute in the area, the referee reverses a goal kick that would have been from Haiti to a corner in favor of Brazil, showing the initial pressure from the Seleção.
- 11′ 1T:Raphinha finds the net, but the referee disallows the goal due to offside. A warning that the Brazilian attack was heated, but needed more attention.
- 22′ 1T:Brazil’s first goal! Matheus Cunha receives the ball and finishes with class, opening the score and sending the crowd into a frenzy. The Brazilian advantage materializes.
- 35′ 1T:Great goal from Matheus Cunha! In a well-worked play that involved Paquetá and Vini Jr., Cunha finishes with strength and precision with his left foot, scoring his second goal of the match.
- 38′ 1T:Moment of tension in the field. Striker Raphinha sits on the pitch, visibly in pain, and the medical team comes into action to assess his condition.
- 39′ 1T:Substitution in Brazil: Raphinha, injured, is replaced by Rayan. A forced change that could impact the rest of the game and the Seleção’s next commitments.
- 40′ 1T:Casemiro commits a foul on Pierrot, showing a Haiti that tries to react and create danger, even under Brazilian control.
Haiti tries to react while Brazil maintains control
In the minutes that followed the second Brazilian goal, Haiti tried to create some reaction, looking for spaces to advance and threaten Alisson’s goal. In the 32nd minute, Experiénce tried a cross, but the ball went out without danger. Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, the same Experiénce tried an individual play in the area, but Bruno Magalhães managed to steal the ball, although he fell and lost possession afterwards, conceding a corner to Haiti.
The corner kick, made by Bellegarde in the 34th minute, was promptly cleared by the Brazilian defense, with Danilo ensuring safety in the area. Even with Haiti’s sporadic attempts, Brazil maintained possession of the ball and control of the midfield, not allowing the opponent to create real scoring chances. In the 40th minute, Casemiro committed a foul on Pierrot, a move that demonstrated the intensity of the dispute for midfield. In the 41st minute, Casimir crossed, and Casemiro appeared again to remove the danger.
Brazil remains ahead with a good performance so far, showing defensive consistency and an effective attack. The game is still ongoing, and the Seleção is looking to maintain the momentum to secure victory and consolidate its position in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The concern for Raphinha is the only question mark in a dominant performance so far.
