McGinn thrills as Scotland edge past Haiti at World Cup 2026

Scotland secured their first World Cup win in 36 years with a narrow victory over Haiti in their opening match of the 2026 tournament.

Scotland's historic opener John McGinn described his decisive goal for Scotland against Haiti as a proud moment, despite describing the finish as imperfect. The Aston Villa midfielder's deflected strike in the first half handed Scotland a vital 1-0 win, marking their first World Cup triumph since 1990 and their first finals appearance since 1998. The narrow victory kept them top of Group C as they push to advance to the knockout stages for the first time in their history. A tense second half saw Haiti nearly level the score, adding to the nerves but ultimately failing to prevent Scotland from securing the points. ## McGinn's reaction to the goal McGinn admitted his goal was not his cleanest finish but emphasized the result mattered more than perfection. 'It wasn't my best of goals but who cares? It's been a long time coming,' he shared. 'I scuffed it a wee bit.' He also praised Haiti's quality, acknowledging the challenge they posed. 'Haiti are a decent team by the way. We had to work hard for it.' Despite the struggles, McGinn stressed the importance of the win, calling it a must-win game that they successfully navigated. 'Could we play a bit better? Aye. But it was a must-win game and we won. I'm absolutely over the moon.' ## Road ahead for Scotland Scotland now face tough tests against Morocco and Brazil in their next two group matches, set for June 19 and June 24 respectively. Steve Clarke's side recognizes the need to improve but views this victory as a strong start on football's biggest stage. McGinn highlighted the emotional weight of the achievement, especially for a nation that has endured years of disappointment. 'We've been through a lot of hurt as a country,' he reflected. The midfielder also spoke about the pride he felt seeing young fans wearing Scotland kits and painting their faces, hoping the joy would continue for others. ## Impact on young fans McGinn expressed excitement over the sight of children embracing the moment, hoping their pride would grow even more. 'A generation of supporters haven't seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the parks in a Scotland kit and painting their faces.' He linked this victory to the next challenge, believing the momentum would carry into their upcoming fixture. 'Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they'll be beaming with pride because I am. It sets things up for Friday [against Morocco].' ## World Cup 2026 coverage The 2026 World Cup continues with Scotland's next matches critical for their progression. Fans can stay updated on match schedules and broadcast details to follow the team's journey. The tournament remains a pivotal moment for Scottish football, offering a chance to build on this early success and potentially make history in the knockout rounds.