Why Matheus Cunha has become central to Ancelotti’s Brazil

Matheus Cunha has emerged as a major piece in Brazil’s attack under Carlo Ancelotti, according to Lucas Leiva’s BBC Sport analysis. Cunha has scored three goals at the tournament and is being used as a flexible centre-forward who can both finish moves and connect play.

Rather than acting as a fixed number nine, Cunha drops into deeper areas and forces defenders into difficult choices. That movement can open room for Vinicius Jr and Rayan, while also giving Cunha space to receive between the lines if opponents hold their position.

Leiva also points to Ancelotti’s broader shift toward adaptability. Brazil have moved from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3, with Casemiro receiving more midfield support from Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta, and the full-backs taking a more restrained role than in many past Brazil sides.

The picture is encouraging but still developing. Brazil have scored seven and conceded once so far, yet Japan are framed as a more fluid attacking test in the last 32, making the next match an important measure of whether this more pragmatic Brazil can keep progressing.