McGinn Lifts Scotland Past Haiti in Narrow but Vital Win

Scotland opened its Group G campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Haiti in Foxborough, a result that put Steve Clarke’s side top of the group after Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1. John McGinn scored the only goal in the 28th minute, and the win also gave Scotland its first World Cup goal since Craig Burley scored against Norway in 1998.

Scotland started better and created early chances through Ben Gannon-Doak and Lawrence Shankland. Their first major opening came in the 17th minute, when Scott McTominay struck the post after being set up by Gannon-Doak. Eleven minutes later, Scotland finally broke through: Che Adams controlled the attack, the goalkeeper saved from close range, and McGinn reacted to the rebound, with a deflection helping the ball into the net.

The second half was less fluent for Scotland, who struggled to keep possession and move up the pitch. McGinn had a chance to seal a second goal in the 73rd minute but fired wide. Haiti then pushed forward in the closing stages, with substitute pressure increasing late on. In the 81st minute, Frantzdy Pierrot was played through but his shot was blocked for a corner.

Haiti’s best chance came in the 85th minute, when Pierrot was left unmarked in the center of the box and headed wide, a major miss that preserved Scotland’s lead. The Scots held on for the 0-1 win, with the match played under referee Mustafa Ghorbal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Group standings after one match left Scotland on 3 points, Brazil and Morocco on 1 each, and Haiti last with 0.