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Brazil player ratings vs Haiti: Vinicius Jr leads from the front as Matheus Cunha brace guides Selecao to record-breaking World Cup victory

PHILADELPHIA -- Matheus Cunha showcased his finishing ability while Vinicius Jr played a decisive role in all three goals as Brazil finally hit their stride at the World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti. The Real Madrid winger was in scintillating form, both scoring and assisting, as the Selecao positioned themselves strongly to top Group C. Haiti, despite a spirited effort, were knocked out of the tournament in their first World Cup appearance since 1974.

For Brazil, it was a night to cherish — and perhaps a turning point after months of inconsistency. Following a prolonged spell of experimentation and underwhelming performances, the Selecao rediscovered their trademark World Cup confidence. The win also saw them reclaim their spot ahead of Germany as the highest-scoring nation in World Cup history. The early signs were promising. In the 12th minute, Bruno Guimaraes picked out Raphinha, who fired in what appeared to be a fine opener, only for the offside flag to halt celebrations.

The breakthrough arrived 10 minutes later, albeit in scrappy fashion. Vinicius’ shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Hannes Delcroix’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Cunha’s leg and into the net. Cunha’s second goal was far more clinical — Vinicius played him through, and the forward timed his run perfectly before finishing confidently past the keeper.

“We will put Vinicius more to the inside. Rayan was playing on the outside, and he did well. Vinicius is dangerous… effective in the central areas… he can move around and others can adapt,” said Ancelotti.

Before half-time, Brazil extended their lead. Lucas Paqueta lofted a clever ball into an open space, and Vinicius raced onto it before slotting into the bottom corner. The only concern arose when Raphinha appeared to pick up a hamstring injury, a potential setback that could trouble Ancelotti moving forward.

“We need to assess Raphinha’s situation. We will see tomorrow. For now, we don’t know the extent,” Ancelotti added.

The second half lacked the same intensity as Brazil made several changes. Endrick and Gabriel Martinelli were introduced, with the former receiving a rousing reception from the Brazil-supporting crowd. Endrick even thought he had scored, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside after a neat finish.

Haiti, to their credit, never completely fell apart. Despite not featuring at a World Cup since 1974, they looked composed and competitive. However, Brazil’s superior quality ultimately made the difference.

“They came closer compared to the first half. We also created chances on the counter. We could have played with more intensity, yes, but you have to consider the other matches in the World Cup as well,” Ancelotti remarked.

For Brazil, this performance could mark the start of something promising.

“It was what I expected. Fewer errors, more attacking precision, and better defensive control. It was a solid match, though we still have areas to improve,” Ancelotti concluded.

Here are Brazil’s player ratings from Philadelphia Stadium...

Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson (7/10):
Rarely tested but made a couple of routine saves. Distributed the ball effectively whenever required.

Douglas Santos (6/10):
Spent most of his evening covering defensively when Vinicius stayed forward. A steady, if unspectacular, outing.

Gabriel (7/10):
Contained Haiti’s attackers well using his positional awareness. Recorded the highest number of touches in the match.

Marquinhos (7/10):
Reliable as ever, contributing with timely tackles and clearances when required.

Danilo (6/10):
Maintained width and composure in possession, though he was caught out on the flank a couple of times.

Midfield

Bruno Guimaraes (7/10):
Did plenty of hard work in midfield while also threading a few clever passes. The Newcastle man continues to bring balance to the unit.

Casemiro (5/10):
Attempted several long balls that failed to connect. A sluggish display from the veteran midfielder.

Lucas Paqueta (8/10):
Delivered a superb assist for Vinicius and was central to Brazil’s link-up play. It will be intriguing to see how he fits in once Neymar returns.

Attack

Vinicius Jr (8/10):
Instrumental in the buildup to the opener, assisted the second, and scored the third. Threatened constantly until substituted — another top-class performance.

Matheus Cunha (7/10):
Scored twice in the first half and faded slightly after the break, but made a decisive impact overall. Surely has earned a starting role.

Raphinha (6/10):
Lively in the opening spell but forced off after 35 minutes with a suspected hamstring issue — a blow to his tournament hopes.

Substitutes & Manager

Rayan (6/10):
Came on for Raphinha late in the first half but offered limited threat down the right.

Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Struck the crossbar with a curling effort and created a decent chance late on.

Endrick (7/10):
Received a huge ovation upon entering. Thought he had scored but saw his goal ruled out for offside.

Danilo (N/A):
Insufficient time to influence proceedings.

Ederson (N/A):
Did not have enough time to make a difference.

Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):
A much-improved outing for the Italian coach. His side looked sharp in the first half, allowing him to rotate comfortably in the second.

How far can Brazil go at the World Cup?