McGinn Scrapes Scotland Past Haiti in World Cup Opener

Sixty-four thousand, one hundred and forty-six souls packed Boston Stadium, desperate for a taste of World Cup glory. What they got was glory, sure. But slathered in enough anxiety to curdle milk.

John McGinn delivered the goods in the 28th minute. A deflected shot, after Che Adams had already had a crack, somehow squirmed its way in. Three points for Steve Clarke's lot. Top of Group C. Thanks, Brazil and Morocco, for your earlier 1-1 snooze-fest. Made Scotland's win look even better, relatively.

Scott McTominay had already dinged the post. Small mercies. But let's not pretend Haiti, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, were just there for the souvenirs. Angus Gunn nearly fumbled a Carlens Arcus shot soon after the goal. Frantzdy Pierrot then sent the Tartan Army's hearts into their throats, heading wide with just five minutes left. Those fingernails won't grow back.

McGinn himself could've spared everyone the drama, but he dragged a decent chance wide. Ben Doak’s angled shot, set up by Andy Robertson, got blocked. Such is life.

Clarke, speaking to BBC Sport, summed it up perfectly: “We put the supporters through it a little bit.” He wasn't wrong. “Defensively, outstanding. We could have been a little bit better on the ball, but who cares — we won.” The man’s nothing if not practical. Lewis Ferguson, the midfielder, echoed it. “We can play better,” he told BBC Sport. “We can create more chances and score more goals, but we came here to do a job and we've done that.” A job. Right.

Now for Morocco on June 19. If they want to get past the group stage for the first time in history, Clarke's squad will need more than blind luck and a prayer. A *lot* more.