Brazil v Haiti
Play By Play
A three-goal first half settled the contest at Philadelphia Stadium within the first 45 minutes, and allowed Brazil to see out the remainder with a minimum of fuss en route to a 3-0 win over Haiti. Though they started slowly, the Selecao finally clicked into gear after the 20th minute, when Cunha’s somewhat fortunate deflection gave his side the lead - settling any early nerves while forcing their opponents to abandon their primarily defensive setup. The Manchester United forward would make it a brace 13 minutes later with a powerful finish, and Vinicius would add his second goal of the tournament to his assist earlier in the game; timing his run to perfection before slotting a finish past Placide just ahead of the break. Endrick would see his late fourth chalked off for offside, while Haiti managed to impose themselves a little bit more following the restart; forcing Alisson into a great reaction-stop on his goal-line just after the hour. Despite the momentum, Migne’s team were unable to fashion much more and ended the contest without a goal on just 0.25 xG, while a clinical Brazil won the match comfortably with 1.50 expected goals. The Selecao are in action again in Miami on June 24 against Scotland in a match that could decide the group, while Haiti’s final clash is against Morocco on the same day at Atlanta Stadium. That concludes our commentary of the 2026 World Cup Group C match between Brazil and Haiti - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 3-0 HAITI
Simon tries his luck from a long way out and forces Alisson into a save, with the goalkeeper only able to parry the effort behind for a late corner.
The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
SO CLOSE! Danilo Santos knocks the ball in behind Duverne for Martinelli, who sprints onto it before dribbling at pace towards the near post. With Placide occupied, the Arsenal forward plays an unselfish square pass across the face of goal for Ederson Silva, who fails to sort out his feet and tuck the ball into the empty net - placing his off-balance effort into the side-netting from two yards out!
Ade strides forward into a pocket of space almost 40 yards from goal and has a speculative hit, dragging his low effort harmlessly wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.
Isidor uses his speed to receive Deedson’s pass down the left flank before bursting into the penalty area ahead of Casemiro, but the veteran midfielder cleverly closes down the angle, providing Alisson with an easy save at his near post.
Etienne rolls the ball into the penalty area for Experience, who is a little late getting to it before taking Casemiro’s legs out from underneath him to abruptly end the move and give away a free-kick.
Brazil have had at least one player score on their first-ever World Cup start in each of the last nine tournaments, a streak dating back to 1994, while they last failed to see a debutant find the back of the net in their opening start in the competition in 1990.
Bellegarde’s contest comes to an end at the same break in play, with Etienne ready to fill in.
Guimaraes comes off after a good performance that saw him dictate much of the play in midfield for Brazil. Atalanta’s Ederson Silva is his replacement, to pair Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Vinicius comes off with nine minutes to go, with the three points seemingly wrapped up for the Selecao. Danilo Santos gets a chance to stretch his legs, and possibly get in on the fun.
Three points against Haiti would put Brazil into first place in Group C, level with Morocco on four points but in front of them thanks to goal difference, due to their head-to-head result being a draw. Scotland are one point back in third and play the Selecao on the final day of the group stage, which leaves Ancelotti’s side in pole position for top spot - but it’s far from a guarantee.
ENDRICK IS DENIED A GOAL! Rayan receives Guimaraes’ pass on the edge of the area with a lovely turn before playing it through the lines for Endrick, who runs onto the ball and slots a confident finish though the legs of Placide - but another offside call against the Selecao at the top-end of the pitch keeps the score 3-0 Brazil!
OVER! Endrick draws both Simon and Delcroix towards him in midfield before spreading play to his left for Rayan, who keeps the move flowing by rolling the ball forward for the overlapping Douglas Santos, but the full-back’s powerful shot from an acute angle inside the penalty area flies high over Placide’s crossbar!
Bellegarde looks to whip his flat free-kick towards the edge of the 18-yard box, but it fails to get past the first man as Martinelli’s firm header clears Brazil’s lines.
Rayan charges through the back of Bellegarde during the midfielder’s attempt to shield possession following a throw, which gives Haiti a free-kick inside the left channel.
Jean Jacques slides in ahead of Martinelli to put the ball out of play for a throw, but he catches his opponent with a dangerous follow-through. The referee pulls out the yellow card and shows it to the Haiti midfielder, before indicating a check has been completed and cleared of a possible red card offence.
Haiti make their fourth switch of the contest and replace Providence with Joseph.
The second-half hydration break comes with 20 minutes to go in the game, and gives Migne one final chance to encourage his side forward. Ancelotti will be keen for his team to continue dominating the tempo of the game and conserve energy wherever possible, ahead of a game against Scotland in five days.
OFF THE CROSSBAR AND OUT! Guimaraes knocks the ball into the 18-yard box for Vinicius, who meets the pass with a deft backheel flick for the run of Martinelli. Only on the pitch a matter of minutes, the Arsenal winger latches onto it and curls a first-time effort with his right foot that smacks the underside of the bar before bouncing out - though a delayed offside flag means the goal wouldn’t have counted anyway!
Guimaraes delivers a free-kick from inside the left channel towards the back post for Casemiro, who nods it back dangerously towards the penalty spot, but Ade and Simon combine to scramble the ball clear temporarily.
Douglas Santos’ mistimed tackle on Deedson draws the attention of referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez, who shows the Brazil full-back a yellow card.
Cunha is met by a round of applause from the Selecao supporters in the stadium, with the Manchester United forward making way for Endrick after a two-goal showing.
Brazil make a change just after the hour, as Arsenal’s Martinelli gets a chance to impress in Paqueta’s place.
