“Matheus Cunha praised by the Brazilian press after debut at the World Cup.”

Matheus Cunha surprised everyone by being one of the few to receive praise in a Brazil team that once again disappointed at the start of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco. Despite starting on the bench, the Manchester United forward came on in the second half and quickly stood out, on a night when the canarinha once again performed below expectations, leaving fans questioning the true potential of this squad.

The match took place on Saturday night, with Matheus Cunha finally making his debut in the knockout stages of the World Cup. The game, held on neutral ground, ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that feels insufficient for Brazil, which continues to struggle under pressure. The Brazilian coach opted to bring on Cunha and fellow Manchester United signing Ederson only in the second half. Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui, Cunha’s teammate at the Red Devils, shone on the other side and received high praise for his consistent and classy performance for Morocco.

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The context could not be more delicate for the Brazilian national team. With only one victory in the last five official matches and a wave of criticism weighing down on the locker room, the entry of Cunha was seen as a possible breath of fresh air. The forward, despite having only one goal in 25 international appearances – precisely against rival Argentina in qualifying matches – ended up being one of the few players to show a positive signal. This was in a game where the creative midfield was practically absent and the sectors did not articulate as would be expected from a team of Brazil’s caliber.

The national press had no doubts. The reputable newspaper Globo highlighted the performance of the number 10 for United, writing: “Except for Matheus Cunha’s efforts to regroup and connect the midfield to the attack, Brazil was practically ineffective from the offensive midfield.” According to the same newspaper, “even with the number 9 on his back, he did not act as a striker, but rather on the left flank of the attack.” The analysis also details a key moment: “In the 32nd minute, he made a great pass to Vinícius Júnior, which resulted in a dangerous play. He was also important off the ball, frequently dropping back to defend.”

ESPN Brasil did not overlook the impact of the forward trained at Coritiba, reinforcing: “Of all those who came off the bench, he was the one who showed the best performance. He left the area, helped in marking, and showed reasons to deserve more minutes on the pitch.” Words that reflect the recognition of Cunha’s effort and versatility, as he seeks to finally establish himself within the main national team.

This performance by Cunha gains even more importance considering the moment Brazil is going through. With a team searching for identity, the Manchester United forward could be the missing piece to unlock the offensive sector and add more depth to the canarinho game. His ability to connect sectors and his willingness to do defensive work are arguments that please any coach and could influence the selections in the upcoming matches.

Next up is a theoretically accessible clash against Haiti, scheduled for 01:30 BST on Saturday. An opportunity for Matheus Cunha to showcase his skills once again and, perhaps, secure a permanent starting position in a national team that desperately needs solutions. If he replicates his performance against Morocco, it will be hard for the Brazilian coach to overlook his influence. The pressure is on Brazil, but Matheus Cunha seems ready to rise to the occasion – and fans are already calling for more minutes for the Manchester United forward.

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