Brazil’s Seleção delivered a masterclass in attacking football as they dismantled Haiti 3-0 in their World Cup opener, proving that joga bonito (the beautiful game) remains at the heart of their philosophy. The victory in Philadelphia was not just about the scoreline—it was about the style, the flair, and the sheer dominance that fans expect from the five-time world champions.
A bold tactical shift pays dividends
The Brazilian side, under the guidance of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, made a bold decision in their starting XI. Igor Thiago, who had featured in the 1-1 draw against Morocco, was dropped in favor of Matheus Cunha. The change reaped immediate rewards.
The Manchester United striker opened the scoring just before the first commercial break, capitalizing on a defensive error to deflect in Vinícius Jr.’s shot. The Seleção’s attacking rhythm was relentless, and Cunha doubled the lead with a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner, once again assisted by Vini Jr. His iconic surfer celebration sent the Brazilian fans into raptures.
The floodgates were wide open. Vinícius Jr., playing with electrifying speed, rounded off a tiki-taka sequence to slot home the third before halftime. A defensive miscommunication between Haiti’s backline and goalkeeper Johny Placide had left the door ajar, and Brazil walked through it.
Haiti’s resilience meets Brazilian mastery
Haiti, despite their physical approach, found themselves outplayed from the outset. A yellow card in the fourth minute only added to their woes, forcing coach Sébastien Migné to adjust his tactics mid-game. The Grenadiers dropped into a deeper defensive block, but Brazil’s relentless pressure and individual brilliance made it difficult for them to contain the onslaught.
In the second half, Brazil’s intensity waned slightly—a combination of fatigue and Haiti’s improved organization. The absence of Raphinha, injured early in the first half, was keenly felt. The Barcelona winger had been in scintillating form this season, contributing 34 goals and 22 assists, but his premature exit left a void on the right flank.
Neymar, still nursing an injury, was not even on the bench in Philadelphia. The decision to leave the 34-year-old out entirely, while controversial to some, spared Ancelotti from a potential backlash. Selecting João Pedro of Chelsea instead might have been a wiser move, given his impressive performances in the Premier League.
Haunted by missed chances
Haiti, despite their elimination, showed glimpses of promise. A well-worked move between Martin Expérience and Pierrot led to the first corner of the match, while a second opportunity after the hour mark was brilliantly thwarted by Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson. The Grenadiers’ efforts, however, were not enough to salvage a point.
With their World Cup campaign ending in defeat, Haiti’s next match against Scotland became a matter of pride rather than progress. The 1-0 loss to the Scots had already sealed their fate, but the fight they put up against Brazil was a testament to their growing stature in international football.
For Brazil, the victory was a statement. The Seleção, haunted by their quarterfinal exit in 2022, are desperate to reclaim the world title they last won in 2002 with the legendary trio of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. Their current drought is their longest since the post-Pelé era of 1970. Can they end it with the same flair that once made them the world’s darlings?
A historic footnote
Haiti’s World Cup journey has been one of resilience. Their previous appearance in 1974 saw them lose all three group-stage matches, including a 7-0 thrashing by Poland. Emmanuel Sanon scored both of Haiti’s goals in that tournament, a feat that may be matched or surpassed when they face Scotland in their final group game.
As the dust settles on Brazil’s emphatic win, one question lingers: Can the Seleção rediscover the magic of their golden era and lift the trophy in style?