BOSTON — Scotland’s long-suffering fans finally had something to cheer about Saturday, as their national team ended a 36-year World Cup winning drought with a hard-fought 1-0 result against Haiti in Group C action.
The victory — Scotland’s first at the World Cup since a 2-1 win over Sweden back in 1990 — was far from elegant, but it was enough to send the Tartan Army of traveling supporters into celebration mode.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Che Adams got off a close-range attempt that Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide managed to stop, but the rebound landed at the feet of John McGinn, whose shot deflected off a defender and found the back of the net.
Earlier in the match, Scott McTominay came close when his strike rattled the post in the 17th minute. Despite some late pressure from Haiti — who showed bursts of speed in the closing minutes — Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn was rarely tested throughout the contest.
The three points vault Scotland to the top of Group C, ahead of five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semifinalists Morocco, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier Saturday.
Head coach Steve Clarke acknowledged the performance wasn’t flawless but didn’t seem to mind. “We probably put the supporters through it a little bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game,” he said on BBC radio. “Defensively — outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ball, but who cares?”
At the final whistle, Scottish supporters packed the stadium and broke into a boisterous chorus of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Spanish 1970s disco group Baccara — a song that has become their signature celebration anthem.
McGinn’s goal carried extra significance. At 31 years and 238 days old, he became the oldest Scottish player ever to score at a World Cup. The milestone came less than a month after he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain of England’s Aston Villa. Winger Ben Gannon-Doak also made his presence felt with his speed on the flanks.
Under FIFA’s expanded tournament format, accumulating three points and a solid goal difference through the group stage gives a team a strong chance of advancing to the knockout round — something Scotland has never accomplished across their previous eight World Cup appearances.
Haiti, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, had two players with English Premier League experience in their lineup: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wilson Isidor of Sunderland. However, genuine scoring opportunities were scarce for the Haitian side.
Their best moments came in the 38th minute when the ball dropped to Ruben Providence just yards from goal, only for Aaron Hickey to strip him of possession. Frantzdy Pierrot then headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and had another late opportunity, but Scotland held firm to secure the win.
Both nations return to action on Friday. Scotland will face Morocco in Boston, while Haiti takes on Brazil in Philadelphia.
