45 minutes from Brazil-Haiti game and the Linc is rocking pic.twitter.com/wbxAvbjicL
— kevin tresolini (@kevintresolini) June 19, 2026
PHILADELPHIA – Haiti was a hapless foil as the Brazilians reasserted their power and pedigree in their second World Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field the night of June 19.
The 5-time champion and only country to play in every World Cup, Brazil was its old self after a not-so-proficient 1-1 stalemate in their first game against a very worthy Morocco side.
A 3-0 victory over Haiti marked the 41st time Brazil had scored three goals in a World Cup match, another accomplishment no other country can claim.
The night was a reminder of Brazil’s knack for both flair and ferocity.
It also reaffirmed the fact that, beyond the competitive sweat and toil on the pitch, the World Cup in the United States continues to act as a pleasant diversion from less sporting confrontations.
The togetherness and tolerance that have defined this World Cup was again evident on this night, as Brazilian fans and their red-and-blue-clad Haitian compatriots shared the experience with each other, despite its competitive underpinnings.
This has been a year in which a lack of acceptance for people who might be from someplace else has become a government agenda, executed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have led to the detention of thousands and the tragic deaths of a few.
Many World Cup scenes of fans from various nations sharing their exuberance have provided a welcomed antidote to those far-less appealing events that have frequently dotted our social media sites and news reports.
Such was the case Saturday in the City of Brotherly Love, where fans wore their colors and sang their songs openly and honestly with the knowledge it was all in good fun and simple sporting pride.
Certainly, it was a much happier night – as well as a relief – for Brazil supporters.
Brazil scored three times in the first half and then defended with the proper necessity while keeping a clean sheet. Haiti did have avid chances that were repeatedly repelled.
The fact that the latest Brazilian phenom Vinicius Junior set up two goals by the equally adroit Matheus Cunha and scored the other himself further soothed Brazilian angst.
Brazil is better when its bright stars flicker, though an injury that forced Raphinha out in the first half should and will cause concern.
This night was aglow with the presence of international soccer’s cherished Brazilian artisans, the practitioners of “the beautiful game,” who exhibited their competitive panache against an overmatched but willing-to-fight foe in Haiti.
The Lincoln Financial Field stands were speckled with the canary yellow worn by many in the sellout crowd of 68,324.
That brought even more colorful illumination to this international gathering, where not only did the better team win but harmony and unity also prevailed.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Brazil shows its pedigree but harmony, unity also prevail in World Cup