Brazil started the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco, sparking a flurry of criticism at home, with Carlo Ancelotti's side accused of losing their signature attacking style and becoming overly pragmatic. Now the five-time champions have no room for error: any loss of points would end their hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds as first place, so the South Americans' motivation will be sky-high. Haiti, meanwhile, looked impressive in their 0-1 draw against Scotland, but their opponents are of a completely different caliber – the difference in FIFA rankings is colossal (6th place versus 83rd), and the depth of their squad is incomparable.
For Haiti, this is only their second World Cup (after 1974). The team's star player is Sunderland striker Wilson Isidore (valued at €18 million), along with Wolverhampton midfielder Jean-Ricque Bellegarde (€16 million). In their opening match, the Haitians demonstrated an organized defensive performance, resisting pressure and even managing 15 shots on goal. However, Haiti has lost nine of its last 11 matches against teams ranked in the top 50 FIFA rankings, conceding at least two goals in seven of the previous eleven. The Haitians are expected to form a "bus" in their own penalty area, and their main asset is their psychological ease and lack of pressure.
Brazil has won all three head-to-head meetings with Haiti, including a 7-1 thrashing in 2016. The combined score between the two teams in their three meetings is 22-1. Given the colossal difference in class, the Brazilians' incredible motivation, and the need to redeem themselves in front of their fans, the five-time champions are obliged to win by at least three goals.
