Ronaldinho is in the stands, replica World Cup trophies are swaying above the yellow sea of fans, and Matheus Cunha has just swept in his second goal of the night. For about 45 minutes inside Philadelphia's stadium, everything feels exactly the way Brazil fans had imagined it would. Then the whistle blows for half-time, and the spell breaks. The final score reads 3–0 to Brazil over Haiti — a result that officially eliminates the Caribbean side, ranked more than 80 places below the Seleção in FIFA's world rankings.

Cunha's brace and a typically elegant finish from Vinicius Jr wrap up all three goals before the interval. Yet in the second half, Brazil register not a single attempt on target. Haiti, meanwhile, produce seven shots to Brazil's two. A celebration that should feel effortless ends up feeling uncomfortably close to a narrow escape.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in May 2025 to end Brazil's long wait for a sixth world title, refuses to be rattled at the post-match press conference. "We were much better in the first half," the Italian says. "In the second half, they had a little bit more control, but we had opportunities to score more goals. All in all it was a good match.

" When pressed on whether Cunha will start up front against Scotland in Miami next Wednesday, Ancelotti is equally non-committal: "It can be an option." Four points from two Group C games, with a place in the last 32 expected, Brazil are advancing — but Argentina and France are already playing at a different level in the same tournament.