Matheus Cunha Surfs on for Brazil

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 24: Matheus Cunha #9 of Brazil celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In the summer of 2002, back when Matheus Cunha had only just turned three years old, Brazil confirmed its status as the kings of world football by claiming a record fifth World Cup title. No other team had won more than three. Having reached each of the last three World Cup Finals (winning two), it seemed that Brazil were ready to dominate for the time being.

But as Cunha started to mature and develop, he found a Brazil side that looked increasingly out of touch. In 2006, the first World Cup that he would have properly remembered, Brazil lost to France in the quarterfinal, before losing to the Netherlands in the 2010 quarterfinal. And in 2014, the Seleção made it all the way to the semifinal, only to suffer a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany on home soil. They fell to Belgium in the 2018 quarterfinal but would bounce back in style by claiming the 2019 Copa América, their last trophy to this date.

Cunha has been able to claim trophies in a Brazil shirt, just not with the senior team. I was there in the south of France when he spearheaded Brazil to victory in the 2019 Toulon Tournament, and just two years later, he helped them win the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This would open the door for him to make his Seleção debut in 2021 and rack up 1 goal and 2 assists in 23 appearances. Cunha established himself as one of the best creative forwards in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, earning praise from Damián Pedrosa and eventually prompting the interest of Manchester United. He continued his impressive displays at Old Trafford, scoring 10 goals and 4 assists in 35 appearances and helping the Red Devils clinch a top-three finish.

After spearheading United to Champions League football, Cunha’s sole objective shifted to competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And with Estêvão and Rodrygo missing out due to injury, Gabriel Jesus struggling for form, and Richarlison and João Pedro’s teams having a dismal end to the campaign, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to call him up for his first-ever major tournament. Cunha replaced Lucas Paquetá at the hour-mark of their World Cup opener but was unable to turn the tide, with Brazil sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw to Morocco.

They then headed south from East Rutherford to Philadelphia, with Danilo replacing Roger Ibañez at right back and Cunha filling in for Igor Thiago. At a time where millions of Brazilians were asking why Endrick or Neymar weren’t starting, Cunha proved why he, in fact, was the most unjustified omission vs. Morocco. When Johny Placide failed to parry Vinícius’ shot out of danger, Cunha capitalized and slotted in the opener. And shortly after, he latched onto Vinícius’ through ball and rocketed a left-footed finish into the top netting, as Brazil thrashed Haiti 3-0.

Brazil took control of the top spot in their group with a thorough 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, with Cunha once again getting onto the scoresheet. He capped a memorable night for Brazil with the final goal of the night as Neymar made his return for the first time in three years on the world stage. While No. 10 may have made his way back, it’s still No. 9 who was turning heads with his work up top.

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