John McGinn celebrated in trademark style after scoring the only goal of the game, securing Scotland's first World Cup victory in 28 years. The 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston puts Scotland top of Group C, but questions linger about their performance.
Match Overview
Scotland's fifth win at a World Cup finals should have been a cause for epic celebration. Victory over Haiti meant this team is not guaranteed to receive a bloody nose against lesser nations after all. More than 10,000 days after limping out of the World Cup in France, Scotland returned to the biggest stage and claimed three points.
However, with Morocco and Brazil to come, this single-goal success may prove insufficient as Scotland looks to emerge from the group phase for the first time. The display from Steve Clarke's team was unconvincing, and Haiti lacked the composure to punish them. McGinn's goal, a sclaff in Scottish terminology, summed up much of what followed.
First Half Action
The opening half was curious and entertaining. Scotland impressed in moments moving forward but left gaps for Haiti to attack. Haiti carried menace without seriously looking like scoring. Scott McTominay came within the width of a post of sending Scotland ahead after 16 minutes, collecting a pass from Ben Gannon-Doak. Wilson Isidor's penalty claim was waved away after Grant Hanley ruffled his hair.
McGinn's opener came after Hanley launched a fine long ball to Ché Adams, who played it wide to Gannon-Doak. Adams thought he had scored from the low cross, but Johny Placide produced a fine save. McGinn connected with the rebound, his scuffed shot taking a deflection off Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. The goal arrived after the first hydration break, during which the Scots were noticeably sharp.
Second Half Struggles
Harum-scarum football continued in the second half. Angus Gunn saved low from Ruben Providence, and Aaron Hickey made a superb tackle. Neither goalkeeper was troubled much, though Lawrence Shankland came within inches of connecting with a terrific Andy Robertson cross. By the start of the fourth quarter, the scoreline did not suit either team. Haiti would have targeted this fixture for points, while Scotland's hopes of reaching the last 32 on three points needed a better goal difference.
McGinn almost improved it but screwed wide after latching on to a Hickey header. Haiti's finest opening belonged to Providence, who curled wide. Frantzdy Pierrot headed just beyond Gunn's right-hand post. As the clock ticked down, Scotland was scatty, and Haiti huffed and puffed without capitalizing.
Fan Atmosphere
Scottish fans were comfortably in the majority, visible in their pink away shirts. The Tartan Army provided a wonderfully vibrant atmosphere, belting out Loch Lomond before the match. However, Scotland came to the United States to make a tournament impact rather than receive platitudes for providing color and noise.
Looking Ahead
One oddity of the Scotland performance was the ineffectual nature of McTominay's involvement. Clarke can take solace that his talisman can and should be better against Morocco and Brazil. He will need to be, and Scotland will need to be.
