In pictures as Scotland score past Haiti to secure World Cup victory upon return

The moment John McGinn strikes the ball that would lead to the opening, and final, goal (Image: PA)

SCOTLAND has won its first World Cup match upon its first return to the competition in 28 years.

In the early hours of Sunday morning John McGinn scored past Haiti's Johny Placide to secure a 1-0 victory.

The crowd erupted as McGinn scored in the 28th minute, but tension grew during a shaky second half as Haiti pushed for an equaliser.

Flower of Scotland from the OVO Hydro, Scotland's biggest World Cup fanzone, ahead of the game against Haiti pic.twitter.com/H6taewCKqb

— The National (@ScotNational) June 14, 2026

Elsewhere in the group, Brazil faced Morocco in a crunch contest, with both teams securing just one point from a draw. This means Scotland currently tops Group C on three points.

Thousands of Tartan Army diehards gathered for a fanzone event at the Ovo Hydro arena in Glasgow, one of many large venues and pubs which stayed open late to host watch parties for the game in Boston.

Scotland fans celebrate as Scotland win during a screening of the FIFA World Cup Group C match between Haiti and Scotland at OVO Hydro, Glasgow. (Image: STEVE WELSH/PA)

Fans chanted “no Scotland, no party” as they celebrated the win, dancing on the floor of the venue.

One of the younger Tartan Army supporters was Darcy Morrison, 12, who attended along with her mother and brother.

She said: “It was really good, but I think we could of done better.

“I thought we were going to beat them 4-0 but we didn’t.”

Scotland's Lawrence Shankland during the match (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA)

Scotland's Andy Robertson with his family following the FIFA World Cup Group C match at the Boston Stadium, Foxborough. (Image: Nick Potts/PA)

Denise Rae, 52, from Aberdeen, was dressed in a Scotland bucket hat and sunglasses to celebrate the moment.

“It was amazing,” she said.

“It’s been a long time coming. Come on, Scotland, we can do it. Let’s get to the next round. No Scotland, no party!”

Shona Weston, 61, from Aberdeen, said the game was “absolutely fabulous”.

“It was beyond expectations,” she added.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group C match (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA)

For two fans from Paisley, 19-year-old Emily Murney and 18-year-old Martha Townsend, the win was particularly special as they have never seen Scotland in the World Cup before.

Murney said: “Something this exciting doesn’t come across very often for Scottish football fans.

“Our team doesn’t really get out there very much.”

For Townsend, the Scotland game was the first match she had watched live.

She said: “I think it’s great that we were getting to experience something, especially at this age.

“You get to have fun and not worry about anything.”