Scotland's first World Cup appearance in 28 years felt like an exorcism. A tense, nervous, cleansing of the soul.
As Haiti won free kick after free-kick, firing one ball after another into the mixer, six added minutes felt like a weekend trip to hell. This was the game; the one they really had to win.
The baking heat of Boston took its toll in the final stages, when a side like Morocco or Brazil might have taken advantage of Scotland’s lack of control or composure. Haiti were never that team.
The angst can wait. When a team has only won four of their 23 appearances on the world stage to go top of Group C it it feels harsh to quibble over win number five. This was a rare and precious night to be a member of the Tartan Army, the strains of Free From Desire belted out at the final whistle in a party atmosphere.
The last goal for Scotland in the World Cup Finals came from Craig Burley against Norway in Bordeaux in 1998. The dam burst when an outstanding piece of control from Che Adams laid the ball off to the brilliant Ben Gannon-Doak after 28 minutes.
On a night when the pocket dynamo announced himself on the world stage a driven cross was turned goalwards by Adams and saved by keeper Johnny Placide. Breaking kindly to McGinn the midfielder’s strike was heavily deflected off the knee of Wilson Isador before finding the net.
Lucky? Possibly. Welcome? No question. The Aston Villa captain’s 21st Scotland goal was also his first since November 2024.
Gannon-Doak was at the heart of anything good Scotland did in attack. The Bournemouth winger was electric until making way for Ryan Christie and so nearly claimed an assist as the Scots came to within inches of the opening goal after 17 minutes.
Cutting in from the right he laid the ball off for Scott McTominay to leather a first time effort against the upright from 18 yards.
How much more enjoyable this game would have been with a two goal margin. So long as it was one was tense, it was nervy. It was never likely to be anything else.
RELEASE THE HANDBRAKE
Steve Clarke went with a 2-4-4 in build up, inviting Haiti into a press in the hope of firing it over the top into the gaps.
It didn’t always work, but the Scots did pose more attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes than they had over three games at Euro 2024.
After a rich vein of form Lawrence Shankland was given the nod alongside Che Adams and endured a difficult night. Every touch was heavy, every pass was mis-hit. Scotland lacked control and when they struggled to contain Haiti’s counter attacking threat they were blessed by their opponents’ lack of quality in the final third.
At right-back Aaron Hickey had a tough night against winger Ruben Providence, earning a booking early in the second half and becoming the Scotland international to be penalised for failing to take a throw-in within five seconds.
You always felt a second goal might be needed and McGinn had the chance to get it when he snatched a left foot strike wide of the far post just before Steve Clarke made a triple substitution, introducing Lyndon Dykes, Ryan Christie and Nathan Patterson. What a moment for young Findlay Curtis when he made his World Cup debut with eight to play alongside Kenny McLean.
THE MIDFIELD DILEMMA
By going with two up top Clarke sacrificed one of his main men in midfield.
The need to add another layer of protection against Haiti’s quick counter attacking football secured a start for Lewis Ferguson as the holder in a 4-1-3-2. The decision was vindicated by a relentless shift from Bologna’s captain. His physicality and workrate was exemplary.
McGinn was always coming back into the team and he also justified that decision by scoring the nation’s first goal at a World Cup for 28 years. After a fine first half against Bolivia, Ryan Christie must have felt a sense of deep injustice when he was named as one of the substitutes before replacing Gannon Doak in an unfamiliar right wing berth for the final stages. There were five changes in the end; the oppressive heat and physical demands of the tournament will make this a squad game.
THE GOALKEEPER
Angus Gunn had a night to forget in the opening game in Germany. After weeks of debate and angst the Nottingham Forest man won the nod over Craig Gordon.
There was a serious scare when he spilled a driven cross from winger Ruben Providence after 34 minutes, Jack Hendry heading the danger clear.
Haiti reacted well to Scotland’s opening goal. Strong, athletic, comfortable on the ball and quick they posed a threat until they reached the final third. Cursed by a lack of penetration Gunn might had quieter nights in a Scotland jersey, despite Frantdzy Pierrot causing palpitations with a late header which sailed past the far post.
He can expect a busier night against Morocco for sure.
THE FANS
Say what you like about an America World Cup. The setting was stunning and the same might be said of the build-up.
The long turnstile delays and bottlenecks were ridiculous. Through sheer perseverance the Tartan Army forced their way in and laid siege to the Boston Stadium.
Vast flags, a slow walk on to the pitch for the two teams and a spine-tingling rendition of Flower of Scotland from a support ferried to Foxborough in a convoy of yellow school buses reduced substitute goalkeeper Craig Gordon to tears. He was far from the only one with something in his eye.
Vastly outnumbering their Haitian rivals the number of salmon pink shirts must have had SFA marketing men and kit manufacturers Adidas rubbing their hands in glee.
Already cashing to the tune of £10million from an appearance in America, all it took to gauge the success of the latest away kit was two working eyes. They were everywhere.
The concern was Scotland had never won a game at the World Cup wearing their away kit. This was a decent night to break the hoodoo.
WHERE NOW?
Only four third-placed sides miss out on a place in the last 32 of the World Cup from the 12 groups. And the pace and the quality of the finishing in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco offered a sobering reminder of what lies ahead. While a win is a win another display as nervous as this could be punished.
Realistically, Scotland had to win here to retain any chance of progress and they did. It was always the game in Group C on which so much hinged.
Four points will almost certainly be enough to get through, but will three points suffice? History shows that it might, but only if the goal difference is minus two or better. Not for the first time at this level goal difference could kill them.
