John McGinn Scores Winner as Nervous Scotland Hold Off Late Haiti Rally

Scotland had the first opportunity of the match after just three minutes when Ben Gannon-Doak forced a low save from Johny Placide following a tricky run. Louicius Deedson was unable to test Angus Gunn with his effort at the opposite end, but Steve Clarke’s side had to withstand a period of Haitian pressure during the opening quarter of an hour.

Having successfully done so, Scott McTominay came within a post’s width of opening the scoring on 17 minutes after a well-struck first-time effort from the edge of the area. 

Scotland’s last goal at a World Cup came almost exactly 28 years ago, from Craig Burley against Norway, but just before the half hour mark, McGinn stepped up to end that drought.

His deflected shot found the net after Che Adams’ close-range attempt was blocked by Placide, making the Aston Villa player Scotland’s oldest scorer at a World Cup finals in the process. 

The throngs of the Tartan Army inside Gillette Stadium were overjoyed, and it nearly got even better moments later when Lawrence Shankland headed just wide following a cross from the dangerous Gannon-Doak.

Yet, it was not all one-way traffic, and Scottish hearts were in mouths soon after when Gunn spilled a fierce strike from Ruben Providence, but his defence cleared the rebound to protect Scotland’s one-goal lead.

Ten minutes after the restart, Andy Robertson delivered an inviting ball from the left that just missed Shankland, but not Gannon-Doak at the back post. However, he was denied by a crucial block from Martin Experience.

Clear-cut chances were rare in the second half, but McGinn had a significant opportunity to double his tally and extend the Scottish lead just after 70 minutes, but he dragged his shot wide under pressure from Ricardo Ade.

Sébastien Migné’s men refused to give up, and Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor came inches away from connecting with Providence’s ball across the face of goal. Almere City forward Providence was a constant nuisance for Scotland and he dispossessed Jack Hendry in a dangerous position, but saw his shot blocked behind for an ultimately inconsequential corner by Nathan Patterson.

Frantzdy Pierrot glanced a header just wide as Les Grenadiers continued to push for what would have been a first-ever World Cup point in their second appearance at the finals, but Scotland held on for a crucial win – their first at the World Cup since 1990 – ahead of upcoming matches against Morocco and Brazil.