06/13/26 11:08:00
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06/13 23:07 CDT Scotland marks 28-year World Cup absence with 1-0 victory over
Haiti in Group C
Scotland marks 28-year World Cup absence with 1-0 victory over Haiti in Group C
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) --- Coach Steve Clarke made it clear he didn't enjoy his
first two experiences leading Scotland during lackluster showings in the
European Championship.
So far the sport's biggest stage has brought him --- and the Scots --- a lot
more luck.
John McGinn deflected a shot off an opposing defender and past goalkeeper Johny
Placide in the 28th minute, and Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 in Group C of the
World Cup on Saturday.
"When it went into the back of the net, you could feel the Scotland fans,"
McGinn said.
Scotland, making its first appearance in the tournament since 1998, earned its
first World Cup victory since 1990, when it beat Sweden 2-1.
"We came here to get three points. We did and now we move on," Scotland
midfielder Lewis Ferguson said.
Getting those crucial points did a lot more than that.
Group favorites Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day,
putting Scotland at the top of the group standings.
"We obviously have a little less pressure than everyone put on us in this
game," Clarke said. "They deserve to be the team that finally got in under
their belt in the World Cup."
Haiti, whose only other World Cup appearance was in West Germany in 1974, is
still in search of its first World Cup point. The Grenadiers had multiple
chances in the second half but couldn't quite equalize.
"We're playing at an extremely high level. But you can get punished with one
oversight," Haiti coach Sbastien Mign said.
McGinn's goal came off a rebound from Che Adams' miss in the box that bounced
off Placide and into open space. McGinn's shot ricocheted off a defender from
13 yards out.
Scotland's Tartan Army supporters were out in mass, creating a wave of red
inside a filled in Gillette Stadium, located about 30 miles outside Boston.
Scotland came close to a goal in the 17th minute when captain Scott McTominay
got loose and fired a shot that clipped the top of the post.
Haiti had its best opportunities in the second half. In the 74th minute, Ruben
Providence sent a cross in to Wilson Isidor, but the forward came up empty on
his attempt to direct the ball in.
Then in the 84th, Frantzdy Pierrot, who moved from Haiti to Boston at the age
of 11, hit a header that went a wide of the left side.
Scotland stays in town to play Morocco at Gillette Stadium on Friday. Haiti
will next face Brazil on Friday in Philadelphia.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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