Brazil completed its World Cup preparation with a 2-1 win over Egypt in Cleveland, with both Casemiro and Matheus Cunha in action.
Casemiro started the game at the base of midfield, winning the ball back on multiple occasions and setting the ball through to Raphinha and Vincius Junior running in behind.
Carlo Ancelotti then sent Matheus Cunha on at half-time to replace a struggling Igor Thiago up front.
Cunha had the number nine for Brazil, and the performance was much improved with him on the pitch momentarily, until he was then shifted back into the midfield with Endrick leading the line.
Ancelotti has been using Cunha as the workhorse in his side, doing all the running his attacking teammates won’t.
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Matheus Cunha makes Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil tick
It was only for about 15 to 20 minutes that Ancelotti had Cunha in the forward line, but in that time, we saw some of the best football of the match.
Brazil were free-flowing, rotating so nicely, and creating chances.
Cunha creates space for everyone else with his running, while he is also more than willing to put in the hard work, drop deep, link up, and he offers so much more than Thiago does.
This should be enough for Cunha to have nailed down that striker role for himself when the opener rolls around next weekend against Morocco.
Despite not grabbing the spotlight, Cunha and Casemiro are both vital for what Ancelotti wants his side to do.
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