Group C: Scotland edge past Haiti, Brazil and Morocco settle for a draw

Scotland hang on for first World Cup win since 1990 with 1-0 victory over Haiti Scotland, roared on by their Tartan Army of travelling fans, savoured their first World Cup win in 36 years on Saturday when they edged past Haiti for a scrappy 1-0 victory settled by a first-half strike from John McGinn. The Scots – needing three points against a side ranked among the minnows of the game before facing tougher opposition in the shape of Brazil and Morocco in their other Group C matches – went ahead in the 28th minute. A close-range effort by Che Adams was saved by Johny Placide only for the ball to fall to McGinn whose shot was deflected over the Haiti goalkeeper and into the net. Eleven minutes earlier, Scott McTominay had smacked a shot against a post and, although Haiti showed glimpses of their electric pace and put pressure on Scotland in the closing stages, Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn barely had a save to make. The win, although not pretty, puts Steve Clarke’s men top of the group ahead of five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco who drew 1-1 earlier on Saturday and bolsters their hopes of finally making it into the knockout round of a major competition. “We probably put the supporters through it a little bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game,” Clarke told BBC radio. “Defensively – outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ball, but who cares?” At the final whistle, Scotland’s supporters also showed no sign of worrying about the lack of flowing football as they launched into a raucous rendition of their trademark celebration song “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Spanish 1970s disco act Baccara. A GOOD CHANCE OF QUALIFYING Under FIFA’s expanded tournament format, three points and a decent goal difference at the end of the group stage would offer a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition, something that has eluded Scotland in all of their previous eight World Cups. The Scottish supporters made the most of their return to the global stage after an absence of 28 years, giving a lung-busting rendition of their familiar tribute song for McGinn. He repaid the compliment with his goal – which at 31 years and 238 days of age made him the oldest Scotland player to score at a World Cup – less than a month after he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain of England’s Aston Villa, while winger Ben Gannon-Doak threatened with his pace. Haiti – playing at their first World Cup since 1974 – were bolstered by the inclusion of two players with experience of playing in the English Premier League – Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor. But they had only a few glimpses of an equaliser. In the 38th minute, the ball fell to Ruben Providence a few yards out but he was dispossessed by Aaron Hickey. Frantzdy Pierrot headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and had another chance in the dying moments but Scotland clung on for their win. The Scots – whose last win at the World Cup was a 2-1 defeat of Sweden in 1990 – next meet Morocco in Boston while Haiti face Brazil in Philadelphia with both games taking place on Friday. Morocco expose Brazil flaws but settle for draw Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in the first heavyweight clash of the World Cup on Saturday, with the Africans confirming their potential while exposing familiar weaknesses in their opponents at a sold-out stadium. Ismael Saibari gave Morocco a deserved first-half lead before Vinicius Jr produced a moment of brilliance to restore parity, ensuring the points were shared in the opening Group C match. The result leaves the group finely balanced ahead of Haiti’s meeting with Scotland later on Saturday. For Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, the performance offered further evidence they can challenge the game’s traditional powers. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side were left with questions to answer after a disjointed display in which they were repeatedly stretched by their opponents’ pace and movement. “I don’t think we started the match well, the team was a bit nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn’t good,” said Ancelotti, who noted that his sidegot better after the break. “It improved in the second half; it’s a tough match because Morocco are a good side. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they were breaking out of our press and making dangerous counter-attacks.” His Morocco counterpart Mohamed Ouahbi added: “If you’re asking me if I want to have the same trajectory (as in 2022), no, I want to go beyond the semi-finals this time. “This was one point but we hoped to have more. One point is good enough and we will improve.” MOROCCO ENJOY BRIGHTER START Morocco made the brighter start, patiently working the ball down the flanks and posing an early threat through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss while Brazil looked to strike on the counter. Morocco repeatedly sliced through Brazil’s midfield with alarming ease, exposing gaps between the lines as teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi displayed his talent. Brazil’s first sniff at goal came in the 14th minute, but Igor Thiago failed to make the most of it, fluffing his header. Seven minutes later, the five-times world champion’s defensive frailties were laid bare. Lucas Paqueta was dispossessed in midfield, allowing Brahim Diaz to slip Saibari through as centre backs Marquinhos and Gabriel were caught flat-footed. Alisson compounded the error with an ill-timed charge off his line, and Saibari calmly lofted the ball over the goalkeeper to give Morocco the lead. Brazil continued to struggle against Morocco’s intensity and organisation, although the Africans were unable to turn their superiority into further goals. Instead, it took only a moment of brilliance from Vinicius to haul Brazil level in the 32nd minute. Collecting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left edge of the box, he cut inside onto his right foot and rifled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner. Brazil nearly completed the turnaround on the stroke of halftime, but keeper Yassine Bounou reacted sharply to keep out Paqueta’s acrobatic scissor kick. BRAZIL GAIN MORE CONTROL Midfielder Fabinho and defender Danilo came on for Casemiro and Roger Ibanez, who had a woeful first half, giving Brazil some more control in the second half. Brazil went up a gear, showing more poise and forcing Morocco to defend, although they struggled to create clear-cut chances until the 78th minute when Raphinha collected a cross from Vinicius. The edge went off the game as both sides mostly avoided risks. Brazil did find some new energy in the final minutes, coming close through substitute Matheus Cunha, but they still lacked their vintage swagger. However, both teams will fancy their chances of finishing top of the group and getting a potentially better path in the knockout stages.