Matheus Cunha scored a brace against Haiti on 18 Jun, leading Brazil to a much-needed win.
What happened?
The Brazilian forward's goals came after he was reinstated to the starting eleven, replacing Igor Thiago.
His first goal originated from his industriousness, wrestling the ball back from Haitians in the midfield before bombing upfront.
Then, he waited for Vinicius's cross, which was half cleared, but the Manchester United forward sprang to regain the ball and scramble it past the goal-line.
Why it matters for Matheus Cunha
Cunha's brace not only settled the mounting nervousness but also vindicated manager Carlo Ancelotti's decision to reinstate him.
He has understated virtues that make him a manager's favourite, running hard, dropping deep to help out the midfielders and defenders, and tackling.
What comes next?
Brazil's passage before the 23rd minute strike would bother them, as it seemed a rerun of their Morocco game in its turgid discordance.
They could neither muster a coherent move nor assert themselves on their plucky counterparts, who were content in rolling the shutters down on the box, but counterattacked briskly when they offered with a sniff.
The second goal, a brutish left-footed finish, came after Vinicius wove an eye-of-the-needle through-ball, and Cunha decided to leather the ball into the top left corner past the goalkeeper Johny Placide.
Cunha's album of goals in the Premier League has long-rangers, grass-trimming beauties, chipped devils, and late-bending dervishes, showcasing his spectacular skills.
He loves the spectacular, and his goals bring joyfulness that is the soul of Brazilian football.
The fans frolicked in the vast stands, hooting their miniature vuvuzelas, which had made a shrieking comeback in the tournament.
After the game, the fans stayed back and rendered the national anthem with pounding passion.
But were they fully content with their team's display? Perhaps not.
Cunha has spoken six languages, a reflection more of his scattered career in Europe than his linguistic afflictions.
He speaks Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, German, and Italian, and talks the language of dance, sometimes riding an imaginary wave like a surfer, and sometimes swimming on the ground.
The goal was un-Brazilian, but timely, and Brazil could breathe.
Cunha is a flashier Firmino, the Liverpool workhorse forward that performed the midfield chores invisibly and intelligently.
Steadily, the jarring chords un-jarred; notes and tempo fell in place, and then came the second goal, an electrifying moment for the Brazilian team.
Matheus Cunha's performance will be crucial in the upcoming matches, and his skills will be essential for Brazil's success in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
No, replaced 'crucial' with:
Matheus Cunha's performance will be essential in the upcoming matches, and his skills will be vital for Brazil's success in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
No, replaced 'vital' with:
Matheus Cunha's performance will be essential in the upcoming matches, and his skills will make a big difference for Brazil's success in the FIFA World Cup 2026.