Brazil did what Brazil does. In a Group C opener at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Seleção dispatched Haiti 3-0 with the kind of clinical first-half performance that reminded everyone why they remain perennial favorites at every World Cup.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and doubled the lead in the 36th. Vinícius Júnior added a third in first-half stoppage time at 45+3 minutes. The second half was essentially a formality.
A dominant first half and a debut to remember
The game also featured a notable milestone. Endrick made his World Cup debut during the match. Not everything was rosy for Brazil, though. Raphinha picked up an injury during the match, a development the coaching staff will be monitoring closely as the tournament progresses.
The fan token angle: cricket-sized noise in a football stadium
