Cunha shone brightly but was unlucky, Brazil beat Senegal 2-0.
Twice hitting the woodwork, winning 6 out of 9 challenges: Brazil's 2-0 victory over Senegal exposed the paradox of Matheus Cunha and the number 9 dilemma for coach Ruben Amorim with Sesko injured.
Twice the ball hit the post in the same match, but Brazil still beat Senegal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. For Matheus Cunha, those 90 minutes fully exposed his greatest paradox: his outstanding influence in the game contrasted with a lack of composure in front of goal. According to Sanidhya Bhardwaj, this performance was a mirror image of Cunha at Manchester United.
Two goalposts define a match.
Playing alongside Vinicius Junior in a 4-2-2-2 formation, Cunha found his rhythm right from the start: moving wide, linking up the lines, and becoming the target of passes along the axis. A great opportunity arose after a clever through pass from Bruno Guimaraes; Cunha faced the goalkeeper, fired a low shot that went past the custodian but hit the post.
Shortly after, Guimaraes continued to put the ball on the right trajectory with an ideal cross. Cunha rose high to head the ball dangerously, but the crossbar saved Senegal. Two instances, two times the ball hit the woodwork – the most concise summary of the "unlucky" feeling that has plagued the 26-year-old striker in this match.
Tactical roles in Brazil's 4-2-2-2 formation
A true withdrawn forward, Cunha consistently drops into the central midfield flank to stretch the space between Senegal's center-backs and midfield, opening up avenues for Vinicius Junior and the midfielders to surge forward. This off-ball movement enhances the quality of their passing combinations – which is why he becomes the "spark" behind the most dangerous situations.
However, at the crucial moment, accuracy eluded him. What was missing was the final touch: the right finishing touch and a bit of luck. The tackling and defensive statistics reflect the immense workload Cunha undertook – but the goal still eluded him.
Selected statistics from Cunha's performance.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Winning a one-on-one duel | 6/9 |
| Successful tackle | 2 |
| The ball hit the post. | 2 |
The paradox at Manchester United and the weight of £54.5 million.
What unfolded at the Emirates was a magnified version of the past few weeks at Old Trafford: Cunha, versatile and energetic, contributed to United's resurgence – particularly in the games against Liverpool and Brighton – but his finishing was not up to par. One goal in 10 games is a stark reminder of a player valued at £54.5 million.
At club level, Cunha's explosiveness and fighting spirit are well-regarded. But in the final third, where every decision counts as a goal, he needs more than just creativity: he needs composure.
Problem number 9 for coach Ruben Amorim in Benjamin Sesko's absence.
Benjamin Sesko's knee injury will likely push Cunha into a true center forward role. In that position, all measures revolve around goals. Brazil's 2-0 victory over Senegal showed that Cunha can create chances with his speed and movement, but to finish, he needs to refine his finishing touch and be calmer in the final moments.
What does it take to turn effort into a goal?
Finishing technique is only part of the equation; mentality and confidence determine the rest. With his activity level and contributions to pressing, demonstrated by winning 6 out of 9 duels and making 2 tackles, Cunha's foundation is clear. The remaining challenge – as illustrated by the previous match against Senegal – is to translate that overall influence into finishing touches worthy of a number 9. If that happens, shots hitting the post or crossbar will give way to decisive goals.
