When Brazil lifted the World Cup in the United States back in 1994, ending a 24-year drought, manager Carlos Alberto Parreira faced criticism for his team’s dull performance—especially in the final against Italy. Critics, fans, and even his own mother questioned the approach. In Brazil, victory alone isn’t enough; style matters just as much.
The Seleção’s supporters demand not just wins but joga bonito—the beautiful game—every time the Brazil players step onto the pitch. On Friday in Philadelphia, they got exactly that in a commanding 3-0 demolition of Haiti… in the first half.
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti made a bold attacking change in his starting lineup, replacing Igor Thiago—who started in the 1-1 draw with Morocco—with Matheus Cunha. The gamble paid off almost immediately.
Cunha doubled the lead with a curling left-footed strike into the top corner, again orchestrated by Vini Jr. The forward celebrated with his signature surfer gesture, a moment that captured the fluid brilliance of Brazil’s attack.
Vini Jr. then turned provider-turned-scorer before halftime, rounding Haiti’s defense after a perfectly weighted lob from Lucas Paquetá—who looked far sharper than in the team’s opening 1-1 draw with Morocco.
The stadium erupted. Fans braced for a repeat of Canada’s heavy defeat of Qatar the day before. Haiti, playing a physical game, had already seen a yellow card in the fourth minute. Their coach, Sébastien Migné, adjusted from a five-man defense to a more compact four-at-the-back setup, which staunched the bleeding and limited the damage.
Contrary to expectations, Haiti didn’t park the bus. Instead, they maintained a direct and proactive approach—though more disciplined than in the opening half. Few teams approach a match against Brazil the way they would against Costa Rica.
Brazil’s subdued second half reflected both fatigue and Haiti’s improved defensive organization. The absence of Raphinha—injured and withdrawn in the 40th minute—was a significant setback. The influential winger had been in scintillating form at FC Barcelona, contributing 34 goals and 22 assists this season.
Neymar, still nursing an injury, didn’t even travel with the squad to Philadelphia. One wonders if Ancelotti made the right call in selecting him over João Pedro, who has impressed at Chelsea this term.
Ancelotti avoided a potential controversy by leaving the veteran Neymar out of the starting XI—even if the decision would have sparked outrage among some fans and pundits.
After grinding out a tough 1-1 draw with Morocco, Brazil may regret not extending their lead further before facing their final group-stage opponent. They squandered several clear chances, including defensive communication errors that nearly gifted Haiti a lifeline.
The Grenadiers created their own half-chances, notably through a quick one-two between Martin Expérience and Pierrot, which led to Haiti’s first corner. They nearly doubled their tally from the resulting set piece after the hour mark, but Alisson was equal to the task.
By Friday night, Haiti had become the first nation eliminated from the tournament. Their next match, against Scotland, was do-or-die. They pushed the Scots hard until the final whistle before falling 1-0. Losing to the world’s most successful football nation in their second World Cup appearance is nothing to be ashamed of.
On Wednesday, Haiti will face a resurgent Morocco side—2022 World Cup semifinalists—in a match closely watched by diaspora communities across Quebec, coinciding with Canada Day.
In 1974, Haiti lost all three group games: 3-1 to Italy, a record 7-0 to Poland (exactly 52 years to the day before their defeat to Brazil), and 4-1 to Argentina. Emmanuel Sanon scored both of his nation’s goals. Will a new World Cup scorer emerge for the Grenadiers this time?
The five-time world champions, knocked out by Croatia in the 2022 quarterfinals, haven’t lifted the trophy since 2002’s iconic R9, R10, and R11 era. This current drought—longer than the one following Pelé’s 1970 triumph—has fans wondering: is this finally the year Brazil breaks its streak, and does it do so with the flair that defines joga bonito?
