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PHILADELPHIA — Carlo Ancelotti hinted on Thursday that changes were coming to Brazil’s starting lineup after a flat World Cup opener against Morocco, though he kept the details to himself.
One of those adjustments proved significant: he replaced Igor Thiago with Matheus Cunha up front, pairing the Manchester United forward with Vinícius Júnior to bring a new look to the attack.
Cunha made the most of his opportunity, as he scored two goals in a span of 13 minutes in the first half to catalyze the Seleção's eventual 3-0 win over Haiti in Group C play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, June 19.
"It's really rewarding. We work so hard in pursuit of so many things, and goals are definitely one of the main focuses," Cunha said. "So being able to score goals (at the World Cup) and help the team, I think that’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of."
Cunha said being a member of Brazil's national team at this World Cup is a meaningful moment and experience, as he was not on Brazil's roster in 2022 in Qatar, where it advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Croatia in penalty kicks.
"So grateful," the Paraiba, Brazil, native said. "... After everything you go through, all the tough times. I think it’s those moments that really make today’s celebration so special.
"Not being at the other World Cup, imagining how wonderful it could have been, and being here now, (we're) doing everything we can to make it everything we’ve always dreamed of. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to make that dream come true and realizing just how big that dream really was."
Neymar injury update: Brazil coach says star will be back next week
His performance stood out to his manager as well, on top of proving why Ancelotti is one of the top coaches in the 48-team field.
"Think Matheus was good in possession and created problems for the defense. His position was good at the front," Ancelotti said.
So, will he start in Brazil's Group C finale against Scotland on Wednesday, June 24 down in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium after being an impact player on Friday? Ancelotti again didn't show his hand.
"He might," Ancelotti said.
Cunha ignited the celebration for the Seleção fans that stood in the 68,000-plus crowd in the 23rd minute when he rebounded Júnior’s shot and slotted it calmly into the net himself. The goal came after he eventually beat Haiti defender Hannes Delcroix for the ball in front of the 6-yard box despite Delcroix getting to it first.
He then doubled the lead in the 36th minute, falling in line with a through ball pass from Vini Jr. and showing off his footwork with an exquisite left-footed finish into the top corner of the net. Brazil would extend the lead to 3-0 just before halftime with Vini Jr. scoring his second goal of the tournament.
His impact was felt in Brazil's pace of play throughout the 64 minutes he played, as his speed and fluidity paired well with Júnior. He also helped create space and production for Brazil's attack, and gave Brazil another scoring option altogether while Neymar remains sidelined with a calf injury.
With Cunha’s standout performance and Júnior’s continued impact, Brazil's offense (and overall performance) fit more in line with the expectations it had heading into the World Cup, with differences shown from how it looked against Morocco just six days earlier.
"It was what I expected," Ancelotti said. "To have better quality, less mistakes and more quality. I think we improved and will improve for (the) next match. We don’t think about the knockout rounds. We think about playing and improving to try to get first place in the group.
"Every match is (a) hard-fought match. Of course, France is harder than Haiti. But we believe we can beat any team and that includes France."
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matheus Cunha ignites Brazil’s offense in World Cup win over Haiti
Continue reading...
One of those adjustments proved significant: he replaced Igor Thiago with Matheus Cunha up front, pairing the Manchester United forward with Vinícius Júnior to bring a new look to the attack.
Cunha made the most of his opportunity, as he scored two goals in a span of 13 minutes in the first half to catalyze the Seleção's eventual 3-0 win over Haiti in Group C play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Friday, June 19.
"It's really rewarding. We work so hard in pursuit of so many things, and goals are definitely one of the main focuses," Cunha said. "So being able to score goals (at the World Cup) and help the team, I think that’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of."
Cunha said being a member of Brazil's national team at this World Cup is a meaningful moment and experience, as he was not on Brazil's roster in 2022 in Qatar, where it advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Croatia in penalty kicks.
"So grateful," the Paraiba, Brazil, native said. "... After everything you go through, all the tough times. I think it’s those moments that really make today’s celebration so special.
"Not being at the other World Cup, imagining how wonderful it could have been, and being here now, (we're) doing everything we can to make it everything we’ve always dreamed of. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to make that dream come true and realizing just how big that dream really was."
Neymar injury update: Brazil coach says star will be back next week
His performance stood out to his manager as well, on top of proving why Ancelotti is one of the top coaches in the 48-team field.
"Think Matheus was good in possession and created problems for the defense. His position was good at the front," Ancelotti said.
So, will he start in Brazil's Group C finale against Scotland on Wednesday, June 24 down in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium after being an impact player on Friday? Ancelotti again didn't show his hand.
"He might," Ancelotti said.
Cunha ignited the celebration for the Seleção fans that stood in the 68,000-plus crowd in the 23rd minute when he rebounded Júnior’s shot and slotted it calmly into the net himself. The goal came after he eventually beat Haiti defender Hannes Delcroix for the ball in front of the 6-yard box despite Delcroix getting to it first.
He then doubled the lead in the 36th minute, falling in line with a through ball pass from Vini Jr. and showing off his footwork with an exquisite left-footed finish into the top corner of the net. Brazil would extend the lead to 3-0 just before halftime with Vini Jr. scoring his second goal of the tournament.
His impact was felt in Brazil's pace of play throughout the 64 minutes he played, as his speed and fluidity paired well with Júnior. He also helped create space and production for Brazil's attack, and gave Brazil another scoring option altogether while Neymar remains sidelined with a calf injury.
With Cunha’s standout performance and Júnior’s continued impact, Brazil's offense (and overall performance) fit more in line with the expectations it had heading into the World Cup, with differences shown from how it looked against Morocco just six days earlier.
"It was what I expected," Ancelotti said. "To have better quality, less mistakes and more quality. I think we improved and will improve for (the) next match. We don’t think about the knockout rounds. We think about playing and improving to try to get first place in the group.
"Every match is (a) hard-fought match. Of course, France is harder than Haiti. But we believe we can beat any team and that includes France."
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matheus Cunha ignites Brazil’s offense in World Cup win over Haiti
Continue reading...
