06/19/26 09:39:00
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06/19 21:38 CDT Matheus Cunha scores 2 goals as Brazil eliminates Haiti from
World Cup with 3-0 win
Matheus Cunha scores 2 goals as Brazil eliminates Haiti from World Cup with 3-0
win
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Vincius Jnior scored and assisted on one of Matheus
Cunha's two goals as five-time champion Brazil eliminated Haiti from the World
Cup with a 3-0 victory on Friday night.
Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation that qualified for the World Cup
for the first time since 1974, became the first team guaranteed not to reach
the knockout round. Meanwhile, the Seleao got the decisive performance they
needed.
Cunha, the Manchester United standout, got the start and showed with every
surf-and-slide goal celebration why he should have been in the starting lineup
in Brazil's listless 1-1 draw against Morocco. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti
made the surprising decision in the opener to instead insert Cunha as a late
substitute.
Cunha thrilled the Brazilian fans who made up the bulk of the 68,324 spectators
at Lincoln Financial Field when he tapped in a rebound for his first career
World Cup goal. He then sent a left-footed strike into the upper left corner
for a 2-0 lead in the first half against the overmatched Haitians.
Brazil forward Raphinha, who was subbed out with an injury in the first half,
had an early goal disallowed on an offside call that only temporarily muted the
yellow-clad Seleao fans in an otherwise festive atmosphere at the home of the
two-time Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles --- whose cheerleaders did
their part to rally the crowd.
Haitian fans danced and sang "Grenadye Alaso" ("Grenadiers to the Attack"), the
traditional battle cry of the national team. Brazilians chanted back, reminding
them their country is the five-time World Cup champion and the home of the king
of soccer: "A thousand goals, a thousand goals, a thousand goals, a thousand
goals, a thousand goals! Only Pel, only Pel!"
Cunha added to the frivolity in Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian
immigrants, when he flashed his familiar surfing celebration.
Vincius, whose 32nd-minute goal helped Brazil earn the tie against Morocco,
helped Brazil get on the board when his shot was stopped by goalkeeper Johny
Placide and Cunha was there to slam home the rebound to make it 1-0. Cunha
extended both arms as if trying to catch some tasty waves and was mobbed his
teammates.
Vincius slid a pass through the defense to find Cunha and he powered one high
into the net that Placide never had a chance to stop to make it 2-0. Cunha slid
on his stomach and mimicked a swimming motion that all but put Haiti in the
drink --- and validate the Brazilians' fans decision not to tempt fate and
dress the Rocky statue in team gear for bad luck.
Vincius closed the half with a goal and that was enough to keep Brazil ---
seeking its first World Cup title since 2002 --- happy before it closes Group C
play against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Neymar was ruled out of Brazil's second straight match because of a lingering
calf injury.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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