John McGinn scrambled in a goal that marked Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence. The goal gave the Scottish side a nervy 1-0 win over outsiders Haiti earlier today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aston Villa captain McGinn fired in with the aid of a deflection just before the half-hour mark at the Gillette Stadium just outside Boston, which was filled to its 64,000 capacity with a majority of Scottish fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have travelled to the United States in large numbers to follow Scotland’s first World Cup campaign since 1998, and were able to celebrate a rare victory at the tournament as they go top of Group C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McTominay almost gave a Scotland team playing in salmon pink the lead in the 17th minute, when he arrived at the edge of the area to crash a shot off the post from a Ben Gannon-Doak lay-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haiti were beginning to grow as a threat when Scotland took the lead on 28 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Che Adams stretched the opposition defence before Gannon-Doak’s ball in fell to McGinn, and his shot found the net via the outstretched leg of Bellegarde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were unable to build on that, as Haiti forced them back and stepped up the pressure in the closing stages as they sought to avoid defeat in a World Cup game for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French-born Ruben Providence was a regular threat on the wing and imposing centre-forward Frantzdy Pierrot almost equalised in the 85th minute, but his towering header went just wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steve Clarke’s team are bidding to make history by reaching the knockout stages, something Scotland have never done at the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had to hang on grimly at the end, but the victory puts them on course to get to the last 32, especially as the eight best third-placed sides will go through from the group stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scotland play Morocco at the same stadium in their next game on Friday before heading to Miami to take on Brazil. Morocco and Brazil drew 1-1 in Saturday’s other Group C encounter in New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haiti, who lost all three games in their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, now face Brazil next in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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