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John McGinn goal earns Scotland their first World Cup win for 36 years

A goal from John McGinn in the 28th minute against Haiti earns Scotland their first World Cup win for 36 years.

After Scott McTominay had a chance come back off the post, McGinn then saw his deflected shot go into the net on the rebound after Che Adams was denied.

The goal was also Scotland’s first at a World Cup in 28 years, Steve Clarke’s side ending that absence with a tense win over Haiti.

Scotland go top Group C, already a huge step towards qualifying for the knockout stage having seen Brazil and Morocco draw 1-1.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said to BBC One, as per BBC Sport’s live updates: “Just said to Andy Robertson there, it’s about time we won a game in the group stage. Everyone said must win. We won the game.

“That’s what this team is all about. They can play, but if they have to dig in they do that as well. Defensively outstanding.”

Scotland match-winner John McGinn tells BBC One: “It’s crazy. It wasn’t my best of goals but who cares. Haiti are a decent team by the way. We had to work hard for it.

“Could we play a bit better? Aye. But it was a must-win game and we won.

“A generation of supporters haven’t seen this. Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they’ll be beaming with pride. It sets things up for Friday [against Morocco].”

Scotland’s Lawrence Shankland said to BBC One: “That’s why you put the graft in all your life.

“There was pressure on us to win. In competition football it’s about winning and we got the job done.

“We’ve got the three points – we can be happy.”

Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson told BBC One: “The scenes at the end – these fans have waited so long for that. It was pretty special and nice to take it all in.

“They are a good side. Three points and we move on to the next.

“There was a lot of pressure on us and we put pressure on ourselves to win the game.

“We can play better, but we came here to do a job and we’ve done that.

“My job in this team is to be really disciplined, defend the back four, and I tried to do that today. I tried to stop passes going into their strikers.

“We defended pretty well, but we can be better and we will be better.”

Scotland’s Angus Gunn to BBC Sportsound: “It was difficult. We knew that it was going to be tough but we expected our quality would show in the end.

“We definitely won’t be happy when we look back at it and we’ll have to improve for the next two games but it’s three points at the World Cup. When the full time whistle went I was absolutely buzzing.

“I thought we dropped a bit deep, even in the first half. They had two powerful guys up front who pushed us back. I was just screaming at the lads to try and stay up and stay as high as possible. We were just grinding it out and waiting for that full time whistle.

“They were a good side. We fully prepared for that. I think they had a really good game, had a great game plan. I don’t think we showed enough quality on the ball but we got the three points, we got the clean sheet and we won a game in the World Cup.

“I think it’s good that we started with three points and experienced the atmosphere here. Our next game is here, I think that helps us. That’s the first one out the way and hopefully we can play the next one a bit more relaxed.

“It was a very proud moment for me, all my family are here and I nearly cried when I saw them at the end.”

Scotland’s Andy Robertson to BBC Scotland: “What an amazing feeling. The lads achieved their dreams today.

“It was such a long day waiting, I can’t imagine what the fans back home were like staying up so late.

“The fact we managed to walk out on to the pitch and sing the national anthem together, it was so special. To then go and follow it up with a win, it doesn’t get much better than that.

“Three important points – OK people expected us to win, but we had to go out and do it. It was so important to win that game and I’m so glad we did it.

The biggest thing was when we scored we didn’t look like conceding, and that has to be a credit to every single player out there that defended for their lives.

“We worked so well from a defensive point of view and when you’re 1-0 up, that’s what you need.

“It’s the World Cup, it’s the biggest stage. People get nervous near the end, but we felt pretty relaxed on the pitch.”

Here’s how fans reacted after the John McGinn goal earns Scotland their first World Cup win for 36 years…

@BalmalcolmArab: Said before, didn’t care if we scored off anyone’s arse etc…I’ll take it. Lots of room for improvement in 2nd half #scotland

@th_av25: Not bad for a pub player 🤣

@NigelPalmer111: A deflection, but he won’t care. Another achievement in his career.

@madvillafanfc: I’m so happy for him he’s having the best year of his football life and it couldn’t have happened to a better human being LOVE YA MY CAPTAIN 💜

@brxwn72: doesn’t matter how it goes in but might be the most Scotland goal of all time

@RefereeSeanMcL: The best shittest goal you will ever see

@MartinF1903: Slightly fortunate but a goal is a goal. Brilliant work from Che Adams and Gannon-Doak to create the initial chance and then Mcginn is in the right place at the right time. More of the same 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💪

@KittyKat3801: I shouted far too loud for 2am when that went in 😳🤦🏻‍♀️😂 COME ON TARTAN ARMY!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@craigtd1976: Trying not to celebrate too much because the guy downstairs might be sleeping. Just heard him shout ” ya fucking beauty ” 🤣

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