LOS ANGELES: Brazil rediscovered their scoring touch to eliminate Haiti from the World Cup on Friday as Paraguay scored the fastest goal of the showpiece so far, which proved to be enough to condemn Turkiye to an early exit.

Earlier on Friday, Morocco secured their first win of the tournament on Friday with a 1-0 defeat of Scotland.Brazil took control of their destiny in Group ‘C’ with a 3-0 victory over Haiti that ended the Caribbean nation’s chances of reaching the last 32.

Two goals from Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha and a Vinicius Junior strike sealed a comfortable win for the Brazilians in a one-sided game at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

The result ensured Haiti will finish bottom of Group ‘C’ and are the first team to be eliminated from contention for a place in the knockout rounds.

Brazil’s victory though was marred by an apparent injury to star forward Raphinha, who left the game in the 40th minute after an innocuous-looking tussle with Haiti defender Martin Experience.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil produced a “complete performance”.

“It was a complete match, much better in the first half. In the second half we had more control, but we created plenty of chances and could have scored more goals,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“It was what we expected from this game: better quality, fewer mistakes, more effectiveness in attack and more control at the back.

“In terms of intensity it was a good match. Obviously we still have to improve, and we will improve to be ready for the knockout stage,” he added.

The Italian said his team would turn their attention to Wednesday’s final group match against Scotland in Miami, with top spot potentially offering a smoother path in the knockout rounds.

He also delivered encouraging news about Neymar, suggesting he is likely to return against Scotland.

The 34-year-old, who has not played for Brazil since October 2023, is back in training after recovering from a calf muscle injury.

“Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then rejoin the group on Monday, and he will be ready for the game against Scotland,” Ancelotti said.

‘EVERYBODY’S CRYING’

In Group ‘D’, Matias Galarza gave Paraguay the lead just after 64 seconds after which the South Americans clung on for the entire game against a torrent of Turkish attacks in Santa Clara.

The victory breathed life into Paraguay’s campaign and condemned their opponents to an early exit.

Paraguay, who lost the opening fixture 4-1 against the US, defended doggedly and played the second half with 10 men after Miguel Almiron was sent off for remarks made to Mert Muldur with his hand covering his mouth.

The win for the South Americans means the US are group winners after their 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle.

FIFA announced in April that players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be given a red card, part of an initiative designed to tackle racism.

Turkiye arrived at their first World Cup in 24 years with great expectations and a host of rising stars but crashed out goalless and in tears.

Turkiye racking up 32 goal attempts to be eliminated with a match to spare. It came after they amassed 30 fruitless attempts in a opening defeat by Australia, a match in which they were similarly thwarted by poor finishing and a staunch opposition defence.

The 62 shots combined were the most without a goal in any two-match span in the World Cup on record in data collected since 1966.

Arda Guler, the 21-year-old pinup boy of Turkish football, apologised to the nation.

“We tried very hard but it didn’t work. But we should have scored some goals,” he said. “We should have won these games ... Everybody’s sad, everybody’s crying.”

Meanwhile, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro hailed the fighting spirit of his players and said his team should never have to feel like underdogs.

“We can face better teams and more important or prestigious opponents, we respect this, but we are never going to feel underdogs or inferior to any other opponents,” Alfaro told a press conference. “We will always give our best and represent our jersey in the best possible way.”

SCOTLAND STUMBLE

In Foxborough, Massachusetts, Ismael Saibari scored the games’s only goal, lashing home a thunderous angled strike in the second minute to leave the Scots reeling.

“It has been a dream of mine since I was little to play at a World Cup for my country,” Saibari said, as he played down suggestions that he is the revelation of the tournament so far.

“I have done it, and scored two goals. So I am really pleased but the most important thing is to get out of the group and go as far as possible. “

Morocco will face Haiti in their final Group ‘C’ game on June 24.

“Tonight we showed we can compete with the teams in the top 10. Brazil will be a different game, they play with less structure but they have quality that can hurt you at any point,” Scotland’s John McGinn said.

“We will need to be at our best. We know what we need to do to try to get through to the next round.”

Meanwhile, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is “very calm” despite confirmation that he faces trial in France on rape charges, his national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

“He is fine. He woke up this morning, ate like everyone else, got ready for the game and motivated everyone,” Ouahbi said of the Paris St-Germain player.

“He was there in the dressing room, focused and determined to put in a big performance. He did that, and so there is nothing to say. We are behind him, and he is very calm, totally unfazed.”

Hakimi, 27, is facing allegations that he raped a 24-year-old woman in the Paris region in 2023, which he denies.

The reigning African footballer of the year was regularly booed by fans in the crowd of over 64,000 at the Gillette Stadium near Boston during Friday’s encounter.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026