Haiti 0-1 Scotland: John McGinn 28
What to make of Scotland? The Tartan Army earned a victory in their return to the World Cup more than 27 years since their last appearance, edging past Haiti 1-0 in Boston to open their Group C campaign with three points, but after John McGinn’s 28th-minute opener it was really all about Haiti, who dominated and were perhaps unlucky not to score an equaliser.
After this game, an easy enough opening fixture, Scotland will then face stronger Group C sides Morocco and Brazil, who drew 1-1 in the earlier fixture on Saturday. Those games will surely provide a sterner test for Steve Clarke’s side, and on the back of their performance for over an hour at the Boston Stadium, it is far from certain that they can earn a point in either game.
Four points at the very least may be required in Group C to compete for the third-place best losers’ qualification route to the knockouts. Brazil and Morocco will be aiming to defeat both Scotland and Haiti, results that would see them finish the top two sides of the group. Of course, it is far from certain as well that both team could get those results, but on the back of their performance against Haiti, cool-headed Scotland fans have a right to be worried and the Tartan Army will need to improve.
🔢 Group C’s standings after Matchday One. #HAISCO | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zL0TTrcnFm
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 14, 2026
For the rest, they will only think about the joy at the end when the whistle blew and Scotland had their fifth win in their World Cup history, matched only perhaps by the delirium in the first half when McGinn put them in front. Grant Hanley’s long pass released Che Adams, whose move down the right eventually found the impressive Ben Doak.
The winger ran at his man and then put in a low delivery that allowed Adams to test Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide. He reacted well to save but the ball then dropped to McGinn near the penalty spot, and arriving the Aston Villa man hit it and, aided by a deflection, it looped beyond Placide and into the net.
Scotland had threatened earlier through Scott McTominay, whose low effort beat Placide but struck the outside of the post after good work from Doak. The Liverpool winger was Scotland’s most dangerous attacking outlet, continually running at his full back on the right.
Haiti, making only their second World Cup appearance, showed ambition. Ruben Providence twice came close to finding a breakthrough before the break but Haiti were even better in the second half. Providence curled narrowly off target and Frantzdy Pierrot headed just on the wrong side of the post, although could have doubled Scotland’s advantage when he slid to fire wide after meeting a Hickey header.
Scotland held on and rightly deserve their victory, but they must prepare to put in better performances than this one.
