In the second round of Group C at this World Cup, Brazil comfortably defeated Haiti. Cunha scored twice, helping Brazil secure a 3-0 victory. After the match, it was noted that Brazilians had been focused on Neymar and Endrick, but the true savior of the Seleção proved to be Matheus Cunha.
A wave of doubt surged, all directed at Ancelotti. Critics accused Brazil of having an unstable lineup and no fixed tactics; everyone focused on his lineup for the first match against Morocco — Ibañez at right-back, Igor Thiago at center forward — repeatedly asking: Carlo, why this arrangement?
The substitutions in the match at MetLife Stadium also came under heavy scrutiny. Ancelotti made five substitutions at once but never gave Endrick a chance to play, prompting the doubts to resurface: Carlo, why didn't you let him play?
In the first round, Brazil played out a dull 1-1 draw with Morocco, and Raphinha was ineffective throughout the match, prompting a barrage of criticism: Didn't you give him more detailed tactical instructions? Ancelotti, what value have you brought to coaching the national team? Countless questions engulfed him, but they could not break him.
Speaking about the immense external pressure, he admitted: "For me, it's actually an honor."
If anyone in the world could calmly navigate such turbulent public opinion, it would be Ancelotti.
Over the past week, at the New York Red Bulls training ground in Morris Township, New Jersey, the 67-year-old Italian coach faced widespread criticism and found the answer in his heart: the team needed a "surfer" who could ride the waves. For the match against Haiti, Ancelotti made two personnel changes, with Matheus Cunha among them, replacing Brentford forward Igor Thiago. In the first match against Morocco, Vinicius delivered a high-quality cross, but Thiago's close-range header unfortunately went wide — a missed opportunity that will likely haunt him for a long time.
Whether Thiago will get another chance remains unknown. The World Cup schedule is long, and Ancelotti also stated last week that a team and its players cannot be judged solely on their first group-stage match. Faced with overwhelming criticism, he called for greater patience from the outside world: in 2010, Spain lost to Switzerland, and in 2022, Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, but both teams eventually recovered and went on to win the championship.
On Friday at Lincoln Financial Field, Matheus Cunha took to the field wearing Brazil's navy blue number 9 jersey. He was unfortunately left out of the final squad for last year's Qatar World Cup, but now he finally has a stage of his own. Ancelotti's reasons for favoring Cunha aligned with Man United's assessment. Man United CEO Omar Berrada once commented: "He is technically versatile, can play in three different positions, and can operate as a playmaking attacking midfielder, excelling at both scoring goals and providing assists. His playing style is highly infectious, with an inherent swagger, and the audience will definitely be thrilled by it — exactly the 'beautiful football' promoted in Brazilian football."
But before this, how many people were actively calling for Cunha to be in the starting lineup?
The media almost never spoke up for him, and the eyes of the Brazilian public were always fixed on Neymar: When will he return to the team? Has his injury healed? The answer is no — Neymar did not travel with the team to Philadelphia.
The official statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation read: "Neymar will remain in New Jersey, utilizing the excellent facilities of the Richie Hotel and Columbia Park Training Center to complete the final stage of his rehabilitation." Public attention then shifted from Neymar to Endrick.
After the Morocco match and before the Haiti match, countless fans urged Ancelotti to play Endrick: "Carlo, it's time to put him on! Please."
Ancelotti responded: "Endrick is exceptionally talented, and his ability will not only contribute to this World Cup but also make him a core player for Brazil in the next major tournament. The kid is calm and in no hurry to play." However, Brazilian fans were already growing impatient.
Real Madrid spent nearly 50 million euros to sign the teenager in 2024, and he was directly involved in 15 goals during his loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais in the second half of last season. He is one of Brazil's most highly anticipated talents of the new generation, perfectly fitting the public image of a Brazilian international. Ancelotti, responding to public opinion, initially called up Neymar, who had not yet fully recovered, and now the outside world is urging him to put Endrick in the starting lineup.
Matheus Cunha was very open when discussing the competition for forward positions within the team: "It's inevitable to experience some ups and downs when competing with friends, but we all see it as positive motivation. When the coach selects players, some are happy, while others are disappointed."
This time, Ancelotti's decision benefited both Cunha and Brazil.
Admittedly, Haiti is ranked only 87th in the world, and Honduras had also led them 3-0 at halftime last autumn, but this time Brazil finally played with their familiar Samba rhythm.
Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá delivered numerous precise through balls that penetrated the defense, while Casemiro frequently attempted overhead long passes. Raphinha scored a brilliant goal, but it was disallowed for offside; he subsequently left the field due to injury. Bournemouth youngster Rayan came on as a substitute, also showcasing Brazil's deep bench strength. But the undisputed star of the night was Matheus Cunha.
He frequently dropped back into midfield to link up play and coordinate both attack and defense, regaining possession immediately to launch counterattacks. Against Haiti's 4-2-4 formation, his partnership with Vinicius proved devastatingly effective, perfectly countering the opponent's tactics.
Brazil's attack came in waves, and Matheus Cunha scored twice on his World Cup debut. The first goal came from a rebound after the goalkeeper's save, with the ball deflecting off a defender and inadvertently rolling into the net. The second was a fluid sequence: Paquetá won back possession with a tackle, Vinicius delivered a through ball, and Cunha slotted it home at the near post with a powerful finish. After both goals, he mimicked surfing and riding through a barrel, answering all the external doubts.
Cunha explained the gesture: "When I'm on vacation back in Brazil, I always go surfing. Someone in a small village near my hometown taught me how to get started, and now my friends jokingly call me a surfing master. When I'm in England, I also go surfing in Bristol, but the water is too cold, and I still need to improve my skills significantly." Now, he has taken up the attacking mantle for Brazil in this World Cup.
When asked whether Matheus Cunha would continue to start in the match against Scotland in Miami, Ancelotti simply replied: "Possibly." Neymar could return to the squad then, while fans are still thinking about Endrick. Cunha generously praised the youngster: "I hope he can become a legendary Brazilian player. While playing for Palmeiras and representing the national team, he has already brought joy to countless fans, and his ability is evident. We often joke around, and he is humble, always actively asking us for advice."
During the match at Lincoln Financial Field, Brazilian fans unfurled two huge banners in tribute to five World Cup-winning legends: Didi, Garrincha, Pelé, Romário, and Ronaldo. After the match, Kaká, Rivaldo, and Bebeto also interacted warmly with fans in the stadium tunnel.
Nostalgia has always been an inseparable part of the backdrop of Brazilian football.
Most Brazilian stars of past generations struggled to withstand the immense pressure of public opinion, as was the case with Fred and Richarlison, but Matheus Cunha may be the one capable of riding the waves and breaking through all the criticism.