Brazil responded emphatically to the questions raised after their opening draw with Morocco, defeating Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia to move to the summit of Group C and put their qualification hopes firmly back on track.

Carlo Ancelotti's side were not at their dazzling best throughout the contest, but they possessed the quality and clinical edge that Haiti could not match. After a slightly uneasy opening period, Brazil's superior talent eventually told as Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior combined to overwhelm a stubborn Haitian side before half-time.

The result leaves Brazil level on four points with Morocco but ahead on goal difference, while Haiti's hopes of progression are now very slim heading into the final round of group fixtures.

The Selecao began brightly, with Casemiro and Raphinha immediately combining in dangerous areas, although the Barcelona winger's heavy touch prevented an early opening. Haiti, meanwhile, showed admirable organisation in their defensive 5-4-1 shape and sought to frustrate Brazil whenever possible.

The first major flashpoint came when Carlens Arcus was shown the fastest yellow card of the 2026 World Cup for a reckless challenge on Douglas Santos. Yet Haiti continued to compete bravely and even managed brief moments of possession through Ruben Providence and Josué Casimir.

Brazil thought they had broken through when Raphinha converted Bruno Guimarães' superb scooped pass, only for the assistant referee's flag to deny him. Moments later, the winger raced clear again but chipped narrowly wide after Johny Placide's aggressive positioning forced him wide.

The breakthrough finally arrived midway through the first half.

Bruno Guimarães was once again the architect, releasing Vinicius Junior behind the Haitian defence. The Real Madrid forward cut inside and forced Placide into a save, but the rebound ricocheted off Matheus Cunha and trickled into the empty net despite Hannes Delcroix's desperate clearance attempt.

The goal settled Brazilian nerves and gradually stretched Haiti's disciplined defensive structure.

The key moment came in the 36th minute. Haiti lost possession in midfield, and Vinicius immediately launched a devastating counterattack. Drawing Duverne out of position, he slid a perfectly weighted pass into Cunha's path, allowing the striker to rifle an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net for 2-0.

Having earned his place in the starting lineup, Cunha repaid Ancelotti's faith with a commanding centre-forward display.

Any lingering doubts about the outcome disappeared during first-half stoppage time.

Lucas Paquetá produced a sublime lofted pass over Haiti's back line, and Vinicius timed his run perfectly before calmly rounding Placide and curling into the far corner. The goal capped a brilliant opening 45 minutes for the Brazilian star, who finished the half with a goal and an assist.

At 3-0, Brazil had transformed a relatively cautious contest into a comfortable evening's work.

To their credit, Haiti refused to collapse.

Sébastien Migné altered his team's shape at half-time, abandoning the back five in favour of a more adventurous four-man defence. The tactical adjustment gave Haiti more possession and territory, although clear-cut opportunities remained scarce.

Their best moment arrived from a set-piece when Ricardo Adé powered a flicked header goalwards from a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde corner, only for Alisson to produce an outstanding reflex save.

Brazil continued to threaten through Vinicius, Endrick and substitute Gabriel Martinelli, who rattled the crossbar with a superb curling effort, although the move would eventually have been ruled out for offside.

Endrick also thought he had added a fourth after Rayan played him through, but another offside flag denied the teenager his moment.

Brazil produced the response Carlo Ancelotti demanded after the disappointing draw against Morocco, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory that was far more convincing than the scoreline alone suggests.

Vinicius Junior was outstanding, registering a goal and an assist while constantly stretching Haiti's defensive structure with his movement and direct running.

Bruno Guimarães dictated the tempo superbly and repeatedly broke lines with incisive passing, while Matheus Cunha rewarded his selection with a goal and an energetic centre-forward display.

Defensively, Marquinhos and Gabriel rarely faced trouble. However, there remain areas for improvement. Brazil still looked predictable at times in settled possession and required moments of individual quality to break Haiti down.

The potential injury concern surrounding Raphinha also adds uncertainty. Against Scotland, Brazil will need quicker ball circulation, greater creativity through central areas and improved efficiency in the final third.

Haiti will leave Philadelphia disappointed with the result but not entirely discouraged by aspects of their performance.

For the opening 20 minutes, Sébastien Migné's side were organised, disciplined and committed, frustrating Brazil with a compact defensive structure that limited clear opportunities.

Johny Placide made several important interventions early on, while players such as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Ruben Providence worked tirelessly to maintain shape and provide occasional attacking outlets.

The problem was that once Brazil found the breakthrough, Haiti struggled to recover both mentally and structurally. Their defensive line became stretched, allowing Vinicius and Cunha far too much space on transitions.

To their credit, the second-half switch to a back four brought greater attacking ambition, and Ricardo Adé nearly scored from a set-piece. Moving forward, Haiti must become more adventurous in possession and identify ways to create sustained attacking pressure rather than spending prolonged periods defending deep.

Group C remains one of the most fascinating groups in the tournament heading into the final round of fixtures.

Brazil's victory lifts them to the top of the table on four points, level with Morocco but ahead on goal difference after their head-to-head meeting ended in a draw.

Morocco's impressive victory over Scotland has placed the Atlas Lions in an excellent position to qualify, while Scotland remain alive despite defeat. Steve Clarke's side sit on three points and know that only a positive result against Brazil will realistically keep their hopes alive.

Haiti, meanwhile, are rooted to the bottom with no points.

Qualification remains firmly in the balance. Brazil and Morocco are in the best position, but Scotland still have a realistic chance of reaching the knockout rounds, setting up a dramatic conclusion to Group C on matchday three.