Scotland beats Haiti 1-0 on World Cup return, takes early lead in Group C
John McGinn's 28th-minute strike gave Scotland a 1-0 victory over Haiti on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as both nations ended long World Cup absences.
A long-awaited return
Scotland returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence, while Haiti made its first appearance in 52 years. The match at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL's New England Patriots, drew a partisan crowd dominated by the Tartan Army, who watched their side secure a first World Cup win since 1990.
The Scots started brightly. Scott McTominay, the Napoli midfielder, rattled the post from distance in the 17th minute, an early warning to the Haitian defense. Haiti, ranked 80th by FIFA and 40 places below Scotland, showed no fear, however, and threatened on the counter through Louicius Deedson's early effort.
The decisive moment
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. A dangerous cross from Ben Doak on the right was partially cleared, but John McGinn, the Aston Villa midfielder, pounced on the loose ball. His shot took a deflection off a defender and beat goalkeeper Johnny Placide. It was Scotland's first World Cup goal since their 1990 campaign.
- 17th minute: Scott McTominay hits the post for Scotland
- 28th minute: John McGinn scores after a blocked shot by Che Adams
- 33rd minute: Wilson Isidor's close-range effort saved by Angus Gunn
- 85th minute: Frantzdy Pierrot's header goes just wide of the post
Haiti fights but falls short
Haiti responded with urgency. Just five minutes after the goal, Wilson Isidor forced an excellent save from Angus Gunn at close range. In the second half, the Grenadiers pressed with energy but lacked precision in the final third. Pierrot's glancing header in the 85th minute drifted just wide of the post, the closest they came to an equalizer.
I hope we can be one of the surprises of the tournament.
The Haitian coach, who had promised his team would not merely make up numbers, saw his side match Scotland for intensity, though they created more dangerous situations than clear chances.
What the result means
Scotland takes provisional top spot in Group C ahead of Morocco and Brazil, who drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday. The Tartan Army, in their ninth World Cup appearance, can now hope to advance past the group stage for the first time. They next face Morocco on June 20 in Foxborough, then Brazil on June 24 in Miami. Haiti, seeking its first-ever World Cup point, meets Brazil on June 20 in Philadelphia and Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
