MTD FIFA World Cup
⚽ World Cup 2026 • Breaking NewsFIFA World Cup 2026: Cunha hits Brazil double against Haiti to seal first World Cup 2026 win
Brazil have finally landed their first victory of the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, dispatching Haiti with a composed 3-0 win at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Matheus Cunha — the Manchester United forward — was the star of the show, bagging a first-half brace that settled any early nerves for the five-time world champions.
The result lifts Brazil to second place in Group C, level on points with group leaders Belgium, who earlier defeated Iran 2-1 in a tense encounter in Los Angeles. With qualification for the knockout rounds now firmly in sight, head coach Dorival Júnior will be pleased with his side’s attacking verve and defensive solidity.
This victory also marks a significant milestone for Cunha, who has now scored six goals in his last eight appearances for the national team. His movement, finishing, and link-up play with Vinicius Júnior and Raphinha caused constant problems for the Haitian backline.
First-Half Fireworks: Cunha’s Double
Brazil started the match with intent, pressing high and moving the ball with the quick, fluid passing that has defined their tournament so far. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Casemiro robbed a Haitian midfielder in the centre circle and fed Vinicius Júnior down the left. The Real Madrid winger drove to the byline and delivered a low cross that Cunha met with a perfectly timed run, guiding the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper Johny Placide.
The stadium erupted as Cunha slid on his knees, pointing to the sky. It was his third goal of the tournament and a moment that seemed to unlock Brazil’s attacking rhythm. Just eight minutes later, the Manchester United man struck again. This time, Raphinha’s clever cut-back from the right found Cunha unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box, and he made no mistake, smashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Haiti, to their credit, did not capitulate. They nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Frantzdy Pierrot rose highest to meet a corner, but his header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Brazil’s Ederson. The save preserved Brazil’s two-goal cushion and set the tone for a more controlled second half.
Second Half: Brazil Controls the Tempo
After the restart, Brazil adopted a more measured approach. Dorival Júnior instructed his midfield trio of Casemiro, André, and João Gomes to dominate possession and tire out the Haitian defence. The strategy worked perfectly. Brazil enjoyed nearly 65% of the ball in the second half, and their patience was rewarded in the 68th minute when substitute Endrick — the teenage sensation — added a third.
Endrick, who replaced Raphinha moments earlier, latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Vinicius Júnior, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted home to complete the rout. It was the kind of clinical finish that has made the 19-year-old one of the most talked-about players in world football.
Haiti pushed forward in the final 15 minutes, searching for a consolation goal, but Brazil’s backline — marshalled by Marquinhos and Éder Militão — stood firm. The clean sheet was Brazil’s first of the tournament, a welcome boost for a defence that had conceded in both previous matches.
⚡ Match Highlights & Key Moments
- 27' Cunha opens scoring with a clinical finish from Vinicius Jr. cross.
- 35' Cunha doubles the lead with a left-footed rocket from Raphinha’s cut-back.
- 45+1' Ederson produces a stunning save to deny Pierrot’s header.
- 68' Endrick scores Brazil’s third after a brilliant through-ball.
- 82' Haiti’s Adé hits the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance.
- FT Brazil secure first win of World Cup 2026 with a dominant display.
📊 Match Facts – Brazil vs Haiti
| Statistic | Brazil | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Shots (on target) | 16 (8) | 7 (2) |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Pass accuracy | 88% | 74% |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 3 |
Iran to Lodge Formal Protest with FIFA Over Travel Restrictions
While Brazil celebrated their long-awaited victory, off the pitch, another story was brewing. Iran is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA over what they describe as "unfair and discriminatory" travel restrictions that have hampered their World Cup campaign. The Iranian Football Federation has confirmed that it will submit a detailed dossier to football’s world governing body within the next 48 hours.
The dispute centres around visa delays and logistical hurdles that prevented the Iranian squad from conducting full training sessions in the lead-up to their opening matches. Several players reportedly arrived in Los Angeles less than 48 hours before their clash against Belgium, a factor that head coach Amir Ghalenoei believes contributed to their narrow 2-1 defeat.
"We are not making excuses, but the circumstances were far from ideal," Ghalenoei told reporters after the match. "Our players were exhausted from long flights and bureaucratic delays. We want FIFA to investigate and ensure that no other team faces the same treatment in future tournaments."
The protest has gained traction among Iranian fans and pundits, with many pointing to the Iran vs Belgium World Cup clash as a prime example of how off-field issues can impact on-field performance. Belgium, who have now won both of their group matches, took full advantage of Iran's disjointed preparations, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku securing the win.
FIFA has yet to issue an official response, but sources within the organisation indicate that the matter will be reviewed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. The Iranian federation is also seeking compensation for what they claim were "avoidable financial and sporting damages."
This is not the first time Iran National Team has faced logistical challenges at a major tournament. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, similar issues were raised, though FIFA at the time stated that all teams were treated equally. Critics, however, argue that Iranian teams have consistently been subjected to stricter controls and slower processing times compared to other nations.
Latest FIFA World Cup 2026 Updates
Stay up to date with the most important news, fixtures, and developments from the tournament.
📰 For the latest World Cup 2026 Latest News, FIFA News Update, and Football News Today, stay tuned to MTD FIFA World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Who scored Brazil’s goals against Haiti?
Matheus Cunha scored a first-half brace (27', 35'), and Endrick added a third in the 68th minute to secure a 3-0 win.
❓ Why is Iran protesting to FIFA?
Iran is lodging a formal complaint over travel restrictions and visa delays that disrupted their preparations for the World Cup 2026, particularly ahead of their match against Belgium.
❓ What is Brazil’s position in Group C after this win?
Brazil moved to second place in Group C with 4 points, behind leaders Belgium (6 points). They are well-positioned to qualify for the knockout stages.
❓ When is Iran vs Belgium in the World Cup 2026?
The match is scheduled for June 22, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
❓ Where can I find the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 news?
Bookmark MTD FIFA World Cup for breaking news, match reports, and exclusive analysis.
.webp)
0 Comments