Scotland vs Haiti FIFA World Cup match result: McGinn's deflected strike seals historic win for Scotland after 36 years

Scotland ended a 36-year wait for a World Cup win with the perfect opening statement, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a spirited Haiti side at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday.

A deflected John McGinn strike in the 29th minute proved just enough for Steve Clarke's men to collect three vital Group C points, a result that sent them to the top of the group after Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.The Scots, making their first appearance in the tournament since 1998 started brightly in the opening minutes. Their talisman Scot McTominay came within the width of a post of sending Scotland ahead in the first half.

The Napoli midfielder headed over from close range in the seventh minute and rattled the post shortly after.

The breakthrough, when it arrived, owed as much to fortune as finesse. In the 29th minute, Che Adams brought down a long ball with composure and fed Ben Gannon-Doak. The 20-year old Doak's delivery towards the near post was blocked, but the loose ball fell kindly for McGinn, lurking on the edge of the box. His low drive deflected off a Haitian defender and looped past a helpless Johny Placide.

A fortunate finish, but one McGinn and Scotland had thoroughly earned.Haiti, making only their second-ever World Cup appearance and first since 1974, showed great resilience.Winger Ruben Providence was a constant threat down the flanks, cutting in sharply after the break to force goalkeeper Angus Gunn into a sharp low save. Frantzdy Pierrot, Haiti's target man who grew up just miles from Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, proved a handful throughout, forcing the Scottish backline into several nervy moments and heading a late cross just wide of the far post with just a few minutes remaining.Scotland, to their credit, kept their defensive shape admirably through a tense second half. Grant Hanley was immense at the back, producing a crucial last-ditch intervention to deny Providence what looked like a certain equaliser with 15 minutes remaining. Steve Clarke’s men looked scrappy in the last moments of the match but they held on and secured a historic World Cup win.Scotland next face Morocco on June 20 while Haiti take on heavyweights Brazil on the same day.