Scotland mark World Cup return with 1-0 win over Haiti

Scotland moved top of Group C in their long-awaited return to the World Cup with a nervy 1-0 win over Haiti in Foxborough.

In the Scots’ first game on the big stage since 1998, midfielder John McGinn fired them ahead in Boston with a deflected strike after 28 minutes, although Steve Clarke’s side lived dangerously at times.

The Caribbean country, ranked 83rd in the world, were on the face of it the best chance for three points and denying a first Scotland win in the finals since 1990, but they proved troublesome.

There were only occasional moments of brightness from Scotland- mostly from winger Ben Gannon-Doak in the first half – rather than any sort of control and they looked out of sorts in the final stages.

Nevertheless, Morocco and Brazil drew 1-1 in New Jersey earlier in the day which means Scotland top the group with three points going into the second fixture against AFCON champions at the same venue next Friday before travelling to Miami to face the Brazilians on June 24 and looking to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time.

Friendly wins over Curacao and Bolivia had imbued the Tartan Army, still high with the 4-2 win over Denmark at Barclays Hampden last November, which clinched qualification, with added confidence.

Thousands of Scotland fans had made the journey to Foxborough in good spirits and they enjoyed an encouraging start, with Ben Gannon-Doak’s early shot saved by Haiti keeper Johny Placide before Scott McTominay headed an Andy Robertson cross over the bar.

Sebastien Migne’s side, however, looked lively going forward, albeit wayward all night with their final touches.

In the 17th minute, McTominay rattled the post with a drive from 16-yards after being set up by the lively Gannon-Doak.

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