▲ Scotland players celebrate a goal
Scotland, returning to the World Cup stage after 28 years, tasted victory in the tournament for the first time in 36 years against Haiti, which made its return after 52 years.
Scotland won 1-0 in their Group C opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Haiti, held at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday (June 14).
With this win, Scotland (3 points) moved to the top of Group C, following a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco (1 point each) in the earlier match.
Having qualified for the finals for the first time in 28 years since the 1998 France tournament, Scotland celebrated a victory for the first time in 36 years, dating back to their 2-1 win against Sweden in the second group stage match of the 1990 Italy tournament.
On the other hand, Haiti had to swallow a defeat in their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, since the 1974 West Germany tournament.
Scotland and Haiti, both making their first World Cup finals appearances of the 21st century, competed fiercely from the start.
Scotland, who were momentarily pushed back by Haiti's strong offensive in the early stages, missed a scoring opportunity in the 17th minute when a right-footed shot by Scott McTominay from the center of the penalty area—set up by a pass from Jack Hendry who penetrated the right flank—hit the right goalpost.
Struggling against Haiti's counterattacks, Scotland turned the tide during the "hydration break" in the first half.
After the short break, Scotland continued their offensive and scored the opening goal in the 28th minute.
Che Adams penetrated the right side of the goal area and attempted a shot that was blocked by the goalkeeper, and John McGinn fired a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
The ball, leaving McGinn's foot, deflected off the leg of Haitian midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and found the back of the net.
McGinn performed his signature "Batman celebration," placing both hands in front of his face in a mask shape.
He uses this celebration as a trademark to support his nephew, who has poor eyesight and must wear goggles while playing soccer.
At 31 years and 238 days old, McGinn became Scotland's oldest-ever World Cup goalscorer, surpassing Kenny Dalglish (31 years and 103 days), who scored in the 1982 Spain tournament.
Scotland, who finished the first half with a 1-0 lead, engaged in a fierce battle in the second half against Haiti, which was hunting for an equalizer.
In the 28th minute of the second half, Scotland missed a chance for a second goal when a ball headed by Aaron Hickey from midfield was caught by a player on the left side of the penalty area, whose left-footed shot narrowly missed the right goalpost.
Haiti, launching an immediate counterattack, also saw a right-footed curling shot by Leverton Pierre from the left side of the penalty area miss just wide of the right goalpost in the 29th minute of the second half.
For Haiti, the most painful moment came in the 40th minute of the second half when a header by Frantzdy Pierrot from the center of the goal area grazed the left goalpost.
Scotland successfully neutralized Haiti's late offensive to secure a one-goal victory.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.