Scotland ended their agonizing 36-year wait for a FIFA World Cup victory with a tense 1-0 win over Haiti in their Group C opener at Boston Stadium. Making their return to the grandest stage of football, the Tartan Army were pushed to their limits by a spirited Haitian side returning to the tournament after a 52-year absence. Despite Haiti's energetic display and positive spells of possession, it was Steve Clarke's men who seized the crucial moment to claim all three points, sending their massive traveling support into raptures.

The game's defining moment arrived in the 28th minute when midfield talisman John McGinn broke the deadlock with what proved to be the match-winning goal. Haiti responded aggressively to going behind, with midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde picking up a booking in the 39th minute. Shortly after the break, Aaron Hickey was cautioned for Scotland as the physical intensity of the match ramped up, highlighting the defensive shift required by the Scots to protect their slim advantage.

Both managers turned to their benches to alter the game's flow as the second half progressed. Louicius Deedson was introduced for Haiti, while Scotland executed a key triple substitution in the 75th minute that saw Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams enter the fray. Haiti threw everything forward, introducing Ruben Providence late on to spearhead a desperate push for an equalizer. However, the Scots held firm in the dying moments despite late yellow cards for Findlay Curtis and Kenny McLean, successfully securing a historic and vital opening victory in Group C.