FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — John McGinn delivered a deflected strike in the 28th minute to guide Scotland to a gritty 1-0 victory over Haiti in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C opener on Saturday at Gillette Stadium, marking the Tartan Army's first win at the tournament in 36 years and their return to the global stage after a long absence.

The victory propelled Scotland to the top of Group C following Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco earlier in the day. Steve Clarke's side showed discipline and defensive resolve to secure a clean sheet against a determined Haitian outfit, ending a lengthy drought in World Cup competition.

McGinn, captaining the side, found the breakthrough after Scotland dominated the early stages. The Aston Villa midfielder's effort took a deflection off a Haitian defender before beating goalkeeper Johny Placide, giving the Scots a lead they would not relinquish. It was Scotland's first World Cup goal since Craig Burley's strike in 1998.

"It's a proud night," McGinn said after the match. "I meant to score a better goal than that but no, it's surreal."

The Tartan Army turned Boston into a sea of tartan, with bagpipes, chants of "Flower of Scotland" and passionate support creating an electric atmosphere at the venue near the city. Fans celebrated wildly as the final whistle blew, marking a significant milestone for a nation absent from the World Cup since 1998.

Match Dynamics and Scotland's Control

Scotland controlled much of the first half, outshooting Haiti 11-8 overall and holding a slight possession edge at 54% to 46%. Their organized midfield and........

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