PHILADELPHIA (United States) — Brazil eased the immediate pressure but remain some way from the finished article at the World Cup after closing in on a place in the last 32 with an improved performance against Haiti.
The five-time world champions beat the Caribbean side 3-0 in Philadelphia to move top of Group C, condemning Haiti – playing at their first World Cup in 52 years – to an early exit.
While the win came against modest opposition, it offered welcome relief for Carlo Ancelotti, who had come under rare scrutiny in Brazil following a drab 1-1 draw with Morocco in the opener.
Brazil showed greater attacking bite and edged closer to qualification, but questions remain about how they will fare against stronger opponents.
“We can compete with any team. Whether it’s Haiti or France, we have the quality to do so,” Ancelotti said after claiming his first victory as a coach at a World Cup according to AFP.
Ancelotti’s decision to make two changes from the side that drew with Morocco paid off, most notably the inclusion of Matheus Cunha up front in place of Igor Thiago.
The Manchester United forward scored the opening two goals – his first at a World Cup – and his ability to drop into a deeper, playmaking role helped spark an attack that lacked creativity and punch against Morocco.
Wearing the No 9 shirt, a number that has brought little fortune to Brazilian strikers at recent World Cups, Cunha proved too much for a combative Haiti side that succumbed to Brazil’s superior quality.
He combined effectively with Vinicius Junior, Brazil’s standout performer so far at the tournament. The Real Madrid star was involved in the opener, set up Cunha for the second and scored the third himself.
“I’m here in North America to do great things with the national team,” Vinicius said. “I hope this can be my World Cup.”
Ancelotti, however, cautioned against placing Brazil’s hopes solely on the 25-year-old.
“We don’t want it to be Vinicius’s World Cup; we want it to be Brazil’s World Cup,” said the Italian.
Nonetheless, the renewed attacking chemistry gives Ancelotti confidence ahead of Brazil’s final Group C match against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami.
That match could see Neymar return from injury and will decide both top spot in the group and qualification.
The victory over Haiti also delivered another boost to Brazil as they kept a clean sheet for the first time in seven games despite easing off in the second half.
“It was what we expected from this game: better quality, fewer mistakes, more effectiveness in attack and more control at the back,” said Ancelotti.
“Obviously we have to improve, we have been improving, and we will keep improving in the next matches, but we need to make the most of this group stage so we’re in good shape when the knockout phase begins.”
The main concern for Brazil was the fitness of Barcelona winger Raphinha, forced off before halftime with a hamstring problem.
Ancelotti said he would be assessed by the team’s medical staff on Saturday, but Vinicius suggested it was a recurrence of an injury that troubled him throughout the season.
“He’s a bit down,” said midfielder Lucas Paqueta. “We hope it’s nothing serious, or as minor as possible, because he’s a very important player for us.”
Raphinha’s potential absence could open the door for highly rated teenagers Rayan and Endrick, both 19.
Bournemouth forward Rayan made his World Cup debut after replacing Raphinha, while Endrick came on in the 64th minute for Cunha and was loudly cheered by the Brazil fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
