Scotland returns after 28 years, McGinn goal beats Haiti 1-0
A first-half strike by John McGinn gave Scotland a 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening Group C match, marking the Scots' first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Scotland ends long wait
Scotland's men appeared in a World Cup finals match for the first time in 28 years, and the occasion was marked by a victory. More than 30,000 Scottish fans traveled to Gillette Stadium in Boston and saw Steve Clarke's side edge Haiti 1-0. The last time Scotland played on this stage was France 1998; the gap between appearances was the longest of any European nation in this tournament.
Decisive moment
Scotland started brightly and struck the woodwork after 17 minutes when Scott McTominay's shot from distance hit the post. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. A low cross from Gannon-Doak found Che Adams, whose close-range effort was blocked by goalkeeper Placide. The rebound fell to John McGinn, who fired left-footed into the net via a deflection to give Scotland the lead.
Haiti's fightback falls short
Haiti, returning to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, struggled to convert possession into clear chances. Their best opportunity came late in the second half when Frantzdy Pierrot's header drifted just wide. The Caribbean side, coached by Migné, applied sustained pressure in the closing minutes but could not beat goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Haiti's squad, assembled largely from the diaspora (only ten of 26 players were born in the country), had also dealt with a pre-match kit controversy when FIFA ordered the removal of a political graphic depicting the Battle of Vertières from their original jersey.
What's next
Scotland's win, combined with a draw between Brazil and Morocco, puts them top of Group C with three points. They next face Morocco on June 20, while Haiti meets Brazil the same day. A second victory for Scotland would all but guarantee a place in the knockout round.
