Scotland banish 44-year-old ghost in historic World Cup win against Haiti

Scotland have put themselves on the path towards history by winning their opening World Cup fixture against Haiti.

Scotland took the lead through John McGinn's deflected shot in a first half that put paid to any notion of Haiti being a soft touch at World Cup 2026.

The Grenadiers were a threat throughout the 90 minutes but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Angus Gunn and restore parity.

McGinn dragged a shot across Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide in the middle of the second half as Scotland's push for a second goal came to nothing.

With a 1-0 win in Massachusetts, Scotland took a huge step in the direction of qualification for the knock-out rounds.

In a tournament that offers knock-out places to the best eight third-placed finishers, winning the first fixture is a huge plus for Steve Clarke's team as they aim to become the first Scotland side ever to progress beyond the group stage at a World Cup.

Europa League-winning Aston Villa captain McGinn became the first Scotland player to score a World Cup since Craig Burley against Norway 28 years ago but it meant even more in the wider context of the goal.

The win against Haiti at Gillette Stadium was the first time Scotland have won their first game of the group stage since 1982, when a John Wark brace in a 5-2 win over New Zealand got them off to a flyer.

2026 is Scotland's fourth World Cup since then but they lost their first fixture in each of the previous three, succumbing to Denmark in 1986, Costa Rica in 1990 and Brazil in 1998.

Despite increasing pressure from Haiti in the last quarter of the match, Scotland stood up defensively in their own box and held on to a famous victory that had been a long time coming.

Scotland were winless in their previous nine World Cup matches against opposition from the America's including their 1990 reverse against Costa Rica in the only one of the nine that was against CONCACAF opposition.

Their defeat by Scotland outside Boston on Saturday night local time was the first time Haiti had played opposition from the British Isles.

Scotland face major tests against Morocco and Brazil

The win leaves Clarke and Scotland top of Group C after Brazil and Morocco opened proceedings with a 1-1 draw in New Jersey on Saturday.

With three points in the bank, Scotland's Tartan Army can now be confident their team will be able to get what they need to book a place in the round of 32.

Scotland's second group match, also at the temporarily renamed Boston Stadium, will see them renew acquaintances with the official champions of Africa.

They will be in Miami for the last game of the group stage, which pits them against group favourites Brazil.

The remaining fixtures are reminiscent of Scotland's last World Cup in 1998. Brazil and Morocco were both in their group in France, with fellow 2026 qualifiers Norway completing the quartet.

Both of Scotland's remaining opponents are currently in the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings.