When Brazil claimed the World Cup in the United States in 1994, ending a 24-year drought, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira faced criticism for his team’s dull style, especially in the final against Italy. That criticism came from journalists, fans… and his own mother. In Brazil, it’s not just about the result—it’s about the style.

Seleção supporters expect not only convincing victories but also joga bonito (beautiful play) every time the yellow-and-green players take the pitch. Brazil delivered exactly that on Friday in Philadelphia, in a 3-0 win over Haiti… for one half.

Brazil’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti made a significant attacking change to his starting lineup, replacing Igor Thiago—who started in the 1-1 draw against Morocco—with Matheus Cunha. The strategy paid off quickly.

The Manchester United striker scored just before the first hydration break, deflecting a poor clearance from a teammate’s shot by Vinícius Jr.

Cunha scored again with a left-footed shot into the top corner, off another assist from Vini Jr. It was a chance to show the world his surfer celebration.

The rapid Vini Jr. then got on the scoresheet himself before halftime, slipping behind a naively high Haitian defensive line thanks to a lobbed pass from Lucas Paquetá—in better form than in the first Group C match against Morocco.

The stands were buzzing. Everyone expected Brazil to inflict on Haiti the same fate Canada had dealt to Qatar the day before. Especially since Les Grenadiers, playing a robust game, had received a yellow card as early as the fourth minute. They didn’t see red, and their coach Sébastien Migné switched from a five-man defence to a four-man backline with a lower block and a more compact midfield, which stopped the bleeding and limited the damage.

Haiti didn’t “park the bus” in front of their goal, as the defensive cliché goes, waiting for the storm to pass. They continued to play direct and willing football, but more lucidly than in the first half. You don’t face Brazil the same way you face Costa Rica.

Brazil’s lackluster second half can be attributed both to a drop in intensity and Haiti’s effective strategy to contain the attack. The Seleção had to do without Raphinha, who was injured on the right flank as early as the 40th minute. That’s no small detail. The Brazilian winger had an exceptional club season with Barcelona, netting 34 goals and providing 22 assists.

Neymar, still injured, didn’t even travel with the squad to Philadelphia. It raises the question of whether Ancelotti would have been better off selecting Chelsea’s João Pedro, who has been sharp this season.

Brazil’s first foreign coach likely avoided a controversy: dropping Neymar, 34, even though he’s been more or less injured for ten years, would have been seen by some Brazilian journalists and fans as a grave offense.

After a tough match against Morocco, Brazil may regret not scoring more, widening the goal difference before the final group game. The Brazilians failed to capitalize on several miscommunications between Haitian defenders and goalkeeper Johny Placide.

Haiti created a few chances themselves, notably from a one-two between Martin Expérience and his friend Pierrot, which led to Les Grenadiers’ first corner. They nearly scored on their second corner after the hour mark, but Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was alert.

Haiti became the first nation eliminated from this World Cup on Friday. The match they needed to win was against Scotland, and they gave the Scots trouble until the very end before losing 1-0. They have nothing to be ashamed of—being eliminated at their second World Cup by the nation with the most titles in the competition’s history.

Haiti will play for honour on Wednesday against the formidable Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022. That match will be closely watched by members of both diasporas in Quebec, on the day of our national holiday.

In 1974, Haiti lost all three group matches: 3-1 to Italy, 7-0 to Poland (exactly 52 years to the day before this loss to Brazil), and 4-1 to Argentina. Emmanuel Sanon scored both of Les Grenadiers’ goals. Will there be a new Haitian World Cup goalscorer on Wednesday?

Brazil, five-time world champions, eliminated in the quarter-finals by Croatia in 2022, have not won the tournament since 2002, the era of the formidable 3R: Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. This is their longest drought since the one following Pelé’s second title in 1970. They are due, as people said before the penalty shootout of the 1994 final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Are they ready to win, and with flair this time?