A moment to savour for Scotland – but could they regret not putting more past Haiti? Goal difference could end up crucial, Richard Jolly writes.

Midfielder Ryan Christie started on the bench to accommodate two strikers against Haiti but Scott Brown, the former Scotland midfielder, expects a more familiar approach from Steve Clarke for the next two matches against Morocco and Brazil.

“I think Ryan Christie starts in both of them,” said BBC pundit Brown. “I think we end up going back to one up front and we’d be a little bit more compact in the middle of the park.

“Try and use Ryan’s legs because when he came on, he was fantastic. He’ll keep the ball and he fights for you as well.

“Are we going to have as much possession, as many opportunities against Morocco and Brazil? Ryan gives you that extra bit of legs in the middle of the park.”

Scotland fans in Boston are “delighted” their team beat Haiti 1-0 in the nation’s 2026 World Cup debut.

An estimated 40,000 Scots travelled to the United States for the national team’s match, which kicked off at 9pm EST (2am GMT).

The city’s only dedicated Scottish pub, The Haven, hosted a watch party attended by hundreds of Tartan Army followers, which included some fans from the nation and others, including American nationals who support the team.

Throughout the evening, fans enjoyed bagpipes, dance music, plenty of Tennents lager and street food in the blazing heat, surrounded by screens in a large gazebo.

When the final whistle was blown and Scotland were crowned the winners, fans erupted into a symphony of sheer joy, with some dancing on the tables and others proudly flying the country’s flag above their heads in celebration.

Scotland will very much be hoping that their win over Haiti is a springboard to better performances against Brazil and Morocco – but could three points already be enough to take them through? Jamie Braidwood explains the permutations.

John Swinney said Scotland’s win against Haiti in the World Cup is “seismic”.

The Scottish First Minister, who watched the game in Boston, said he was “ecstatic” as the men’s national team finished their first World Cup game in 28 years with a one-nil victory.

He also met Prime Minister of Haiti Alix Didier Fils-Aimé ahead of the match.

During his visit to Boston, Mr Swinney met some of the thousands of Scotland football fans who have travelled to the US to watch Steve Clarke’s side.

On Friday evening, he was joined by actor Gerard Butler and singer Clare Grogan at a gala event in the Massachusetts capital.

Mr Swinney said: “This is a seismic moment for Scotland which could pave the way for the squad to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time.

“I am absolutely ecstatic and I know people the length and breadth of Scotland will be jubilant and united in joy at this landmark win.“I know I speak for everyone in Scotland when I say we could not be prouder of the team for what they have achieved so far.”

John McGinn was ecstatic to have delivered a World Cup win for Scotland to a generation of fans who have only experienced hurt at major tournaments.

McGinn scored the all-important goal as Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in their first World Cup game since 1998, seeing his shot deflect past goalkeeper Johny Placide to break the deadlock in the first half.

Steve Clarke believes the pressure has eased off after Scotland returned to the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Haiti in Foxborough.

In the Scots’ first game on the big stage since 1998, midfielder John McGinn fired them ahead in Boston with a deflected strike after 28 minutes but they were left hanging on a bit against the Caribbean minnows at the end.

Morocco and Brazil drew 1-1 in New Jersey earlier in the day which means Scotland top Group C with three points going into the second fixture against AFCON champions at the same venue next Friday before travelling to Miami to face the Brazilians on 24 June, and looking to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time.

Clarke, said: “I’m tired but absolutely delighted with my players; resilience, character, everything about this group of players had to be on the pitch tonight and it was. Not relief. Everyone told us it was a must-win game and we won the game. If it is a must-win game and you win, I think you can be happy with yourselves.”