Scotland were four goals up by half-time in New Jersey, and the final World Cup warm-up could hardly have gone much better. L. Shankland scored in the fifth minute, Scott McTominay added the second, and Che Adams scored twice before the break. In sweltering conditions at Sports Illustrated Stadium, it was the sort of first half that gives Steve Clarke reasons to be upbeat, even if places are still open for the opener.
How Scotland did the damage early
Shankland set the tone almost immediately, and he later turned provider for McTominay's goal. That gave Scotland control before Bolivia had settled, which mattered in a game played in hot and humid conditions. Ben Gannon-Doak and Andrew Robertson were also part of the build-up around a side that looked lively rather than cautious.
Adams then finished the job before the interval. A brace in the final friendly is a useful sign for Scotland, especially because his last five club games had produced only one goal. McTominay's finish fits a similar pattern, with two goals in his last five club matches before this trip to New Jersey. That is the clearest reason the performance felt encouraging, Scotland got goals from players who are already carrying some attacking form.
What it means before Haiti
The exact wait for Scotland's men's World Cup return depends on which source you use. BBC Sport described it as their first men's World Cup in 28 years, while Standard Sport framed Haiti as their first World Cup game since 1998. Either way, the opener in Foxborough on 14 June now carries real weight after a clean, decisive warm-up.
Clarke also made numerous second-half substitutions, yet Scotland stayed in control. That matters more than the scoreline alone. It suggests the team did not need a perfect XI to keep the rhythm, and it leaves Clarke with a decent problem rather than a bad one before the tournament starts.
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