Match reportScotland’s 1-0-2 gamble pays off in opening World Cup winScotland beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston, with John McGinn scoring in the 28th minute and Steve Clarke’s 4-4-2 helping the Scots hold on. Events
First half
- 28' Goal: J. McGinn 0-1
- Yellow card: J. Bellegarde 39'
Second half
- 46' Yellow card: A. Hickey
- Substitution: L. DeedsonJ. Casimir 61'
- 75' Substitution: B. Gannon-DoakR. Christie
- 75' Substitution: A. HickeyN. Patterson
- 75' Substitution: C. AdamsL. Dykes
- Substitution: W. IsidorL. Joseph 76'
- 83' Substitution: J. McGinnF. Curtis
- 83' Substitution: L. ShanklandK. McLean
- Substitution: R. ProvidenceY. Fortune 85'
- 90+1' Yellow card: F. Curtis
- 90+5' Yellow card: K. McLean
Stats
HaitiScotland
- 54% Possession 46%
- 15 Shots 9
- 2 On target 2
- 1.21 xG 1.07
- 4 Corners 3
- 23 Fouls 21
All stats
- 431 Passes 373
- 85% Pass accuracy 82%
- 1 Saves 2
- 3 Offsides 1
- 1 Yellow cards 3
Player of the match
GHGrant Hanley
ScotlandStories
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John McGinn’s goggles story turns Scotland’s World Cup opener into something bigger John McGinn explains the goggles celebration after Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti, tying it to nephew Jack’s eyesight and goggles. -
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Grant Hanley emotional after Scotland's historic win over Haiti Grant Hanley said Scotland's 1-0 World Cup win over Haiti was emotional, tense and must-win as he reflected on family, pressure and the long wait for a victory. -
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John McGinn beaming after Scotland's World Cup opener win John McGinn said he was beaming with pride after his scuffed winner gave Scotland a 1-0 World Cup opening victory over Haiti. -
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Scotland vs Haiti is already being framed by Scotland’s leaders Robertson backs McTominay as Scotland’s best in Serie A and Lennon calls McGinn a stick-on starter before Haiti on 14 June 2026. -
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Scotland world cup opener: Clarke wants a stronger start against Haiti Steve Clarke wants Scotland to do something special against Haiti, with Scott McTominay fit again and a squad-first message before the opener. -
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Scotland vs Haiti preview: Nazon and Isidor give Scotland an early test Scotland begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti, with Duckens Nazon’s scoring record and Wilson Isidor’s form posing a real opener test. -
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Scotland vs Haiti is the game Kris Boyd wants Scotland to fear first Kris Boyd says Scotland must treat Haiti as the key Group C game, warning that a bad opener would leave Steve Clarke's side under pressure. -
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Craig Gordon says World Cup chance he feared had passed him by feels real at last Craig Gordon, 43, says the World Cup chance he feared had passed him by has finally arrived. Scotland's oldest player now waits on his future.
Lineups & ratings
Haiti
4-4-2 Coach Sebastien Migne
5
20
4
Adé
10
2
18 ↓76'
1
11 ↓61'
Deedson
15 ↓85'
8
Expérience
17
5
20
4
Adé
10
2
18 ↓76'
1
11 ↓61'
Deedson
15 ↓85'
8
Expérience
17
- 21 Josué Casimir for L. Deedson
- 16 Lenny Joseph for W. Isidor
- 19 Yassin Fortune for R. Providence
- 3
- 6 Carl Fred Sainté
- 7 Derrick Etienne
- 9
- 12
- 13 Duke Lacroix
- 14 Garven-Michee Metusala
- 22
- 23 Josué Duverger
- 24
- 25
- 26 Woodensky Pierre
Scotland
4-4-2 Coach Steve Clarke
13
1
5
7 ↓83'
10 ↓75'
19
2 ↓75'
20 ↓83'
17 ↓75'
- 9 Lyndon Dykes for C. Adams
- 11 Ryan Christie for B. Gannon-Doak
- 22 Nathan Patterson for A. Hickey
- 23 Kenny McLean for L. Shankland
- 25 Findlay Curtis for J. McGinn
- 6
- 8
- 12
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 18
- 21
- 24
- 26
Bench · Haiti
- 21 Josué Casimir for L. Deedson
- 16 Lenny Joseph for W. Isidor
- 19 Yassin Fortune for R. Providence
- 3
- 6 Carl Fred Sainté
- 7 Derrick Etienne
- 9
- 12
- 13 Duke Lacroix
- 14 Garven-Michee Metusala
- 22
- 23 Josué Duverger
- 24
- 25
- 26 Woodensky Pierre
Bench · Scotland
- 9 Lyndon Dykes for C. Adams
- 11 Ryan Christie for B. Gannon-Doak
- 22 Nathan Patterson for A. Hickey
- 23 Kenny McLean for L. Shankland
- 25 Findlay Curtis for J. McGinn
- 6
- 8
- 12
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 18
- 21
- 24
- 26