Matheus Cunha has announced himself at this World Cup with two goals in this morning’s game against Haiti. After drawing with Morocco in the opening game, Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed a reaction, and Cunha paved the way for that with his two first half goals.
Before scoring a goal for himself later in the game, Vinicius Junior saw his attempt saved and Cunha was well placed to tap in the rebound. The two players followed it up with Cunha’s surfing celebration. The second goal was more impressive, with Vinicius again playing a key role in putting the ball through to Cunha, who then smashed it in to the top corner. No keeper was saving that.
Cunha explained where his celebration comes from.
I try to surf when I go to Brazil. I go to a little village around my city. They taught me how to start surfing and now I’m considered a surfer guy. I go to Bristol, but it’s so cold, the water. I need to improve my level.
The only disappointment for Brazil was the first half injury to Raphinha, who’d seen his first half goal ruled out for offside, with an apparent hamstring injury. There’s also been so no sign of Neymar on the pitch yet with him returning from his calf injury.
“I hope that he becomes one of the great Brazilian players,” Cunha said of Neymar. “He has already given the people a lot of joy, playing for Palmeiras and, at other moments, for Brazil. His quality is clear. We’re always messing around with him. He’s very humble, always asking for advice.”
After Amad’s goal for the Ivory Coast in their opening game, it’s great to see another United player on the scoresheet and doing well in this tournament. Technically another United player has scored too, with Marcus Rashford getting a goal in England’s 4-2 thrashing of Croatia.