Scotland, roared on by their Tartan Army of traveling fans, savored their first World Cup win in 36 years on Saturday (June 13) when they edged past Haiti 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike by John McGinn.

The Scots - needing three ‌points against a side ranked among the minnows of the game before facing tougher opposition in the shape of Brazil and Morocco in their other Group C games - went ahead in the 28th minute.

A close-range effort by Che Adams was saved by Johny Placide only for the ball to fall to McGinn whose shot was deflected over the Haiti goalkeeper and into the net.

The win puts Steve Clarke’s men top of Group C ahead of five-times world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco who drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday.

“It feels good, but we could’ve done better,” said 9-year-old Scotland fan Reed Higgins.

Under FIFA’s expanded tournament format, three points and a decent goal difference at the end of the group stage would offer a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition, something that has eluded Scotland in all of their previous eight World Cups.

Haiti – playing at their first World Cup since 1974 - were bolstered by the inclusion of two players with experience of playing in the English Premier League - Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor.

"The odds were against us from the beginning, but we still put up a great fight and it was worth it," said Ryan Saint Fort. "Every shot we had was worth it, I won't lie."

The Scots – whose last win at the World Cup was a 2-1 defeat of Sweden in 1990 - next meet Morocco in Boston while Haiti face Brazil in Philadelphia with both games taking place on Friday (June 19).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (JUNE 13, 2026) (REUTERS-Access All)

1. SCOTLAND FAN PLAYING BAGPIPES AS OTHER FANS FOLLOW BEHIND WHILE LEAVING THE STADIUM

2. SCOTLAND FANS CHANT WHILE LEAVING THE STADIUM

3. YOUNG HAITI FAN CRIES WHILE LEAVING THE STADIUM

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 6-YEAR-OLD HAITI FAN TREVOR JOHN-PIERRE, SAYING: "It's because we didn't even win"

REUTERS REPORTER: “It's okay, there will be more games. You know, that right? You’re going to play again.”

"I know."

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 9-YEAR-OLD SCOTLAND FAN REED HIGGINS, SAYING: “It feels good, but we could’ve done better"

6. SCOTLAND FANS YELLING WHILE LEAVING THE STADIUM

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN ALLY WEBSTER, SAYING: “28 years, a long time coming. So, I am so passionate about my football team. So, hopefully we will win."

8. SCOTLAND FANS CHEERING WHILE LEAVING THE STADIUM

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN ALLY WEBSTER, SAYING: "We're here for one reason. We're going to win the World Cup!"

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HAITI FAN RYAN SAINT FORT SAYING: "The odds were against us from the beginning, but we still put up a great fight and it was worth it. Every shot we had was worth it, I won't lie."

11. HAITI FANS CHEERING OUTSIDE STADIUM

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN DAVID WOOD, SAYING: "Come on, Scotland! We love America, God bless you all. America and Scotland in the final."

13 (SOUNDBITE) (English) HAITI FAN KETHLA POLYNICE SAYING: "I couldn't believe it to be honest with you. Haiti played better than Scotland. So, why did Scotland 1 nil 0, you know? There's so much going on, I'm not happy."

14. FANS LEAVING THE STADIUM