Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil kicked off their second 2026 World Cup group match in Philadelphia.
The early hours of Saturday (UK time) seeing the Newcastle United midfielder and his international teammates up against Haiti, following the 1-1 opening group game against Morocco.
Bruno Guimaraes provided the assist for Vinicius Jnr to score against Morocco and it looked like he had done the same here.
On 12 minutes, the Newcastle United captain playing a great ball to put Raphinha in, his finish matched the assist for what would have been a quality opening goal, only for the offside flag to belatedly cut short the celebrations.
Brazil weren’t to be denied though and Man U’s Matheus Cunha did put Brazil ahead on 23 minutes and then added a second on 36 minutes.
If there was any remaining doubt on the result that was ended when Vinicius Jnr added a third just before the break.
The only negative for Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil was Raphinha forced off on 40 minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Brazil coasted through the second half against a spirited Haiti who never gave up.
The final whistle saw in reality guaranteed progress to the knockout stages as Brazil have four points now and can’t finish lower than third and eight of the third placed teams qualify. Meanwhile Haiti exit the World Cup as they are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group now.
Bruno Guimaraes once again one of Brazil’s best players and he played 81 minutes before Ancelotti rested him and Vinicius Jnr, plus giving other players time on the pitch.
The player ratings from Goal saw only Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Jnr rated higher than the Newcastle United star.
Though maybe the biggest puzzle for Carlo Ancelotti is what to do about Casemiro, who as in the game against Morocco was easily Brazil’s worst player.
‘Bruno Guimaraes (7/10):
Plenty of dirty work in midfield. Played some nice passes, too. It’s a weird unit, but the Newcastle man makes it work.
Casemiro (5/10):
Tried, and failed, to send a series of long balls – none of which really came off. A very sluggish midfield performance.’
As I said, realistically Brazil have now qualified but a point or better against Scotland on Wednesday would make it certain.
The 2026 World Cup group games schedule for Newcastle United players:
Saturday 13 June
Morocco 1 Brazil 1 (Bruno Guimaraes assist for Vinicius Jnr equaliser)
Sunday 14 June
Curacao 1 Germany 7 (Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade unused subs)
Monday 15 June
Tunisia 1 Sweden 5 (Anthony Elanga introduced in the 91st minute when Sweden led 4-1)
Wednesday 17 June
Portugal 1 DR Congo 1 (Yoane Wissa with a brilliant headed goal to equalise just before the break)
Croatia 2 England 4 (Dan Burn an unused sub as England entertain!)
Saturday 20 June
Haiti 3 Brazil 0 (Bruno Guimaraes stars in comfortable win)
Ivory Coast v Germany (Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade) World Cup group match 9pm ITV
Netherlands v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup group match 6pm BBC
Tuesday 23 June
Ghana v England (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group match 9pm BBC
Wednesday 24 June
Scotland v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group match 11pm BBC
Colombia v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group match 3am ITV
Thursday 25 June
Ecuador v Germany (Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade) World Cup group match 9pm BBC
Friday 26 June
Japan v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup group match 12am BBC
Saturday 27 June
Panama v England (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group match 10pm ITV
Sunday 28 June
Uzbekistan v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group match 12.30am BBC