John McGinn has spoken of his immense delight after securing Scotland's first World Cup victory in 26 years, a result he believes will inspire a new generation of fans. McGinn's deflected shot in the first half proved to be the decisive goal in a hard-fought 1-0 win against Haiti, ending a long wait for a major tournament triumph.
The Aston Villa midfielder's goal came in Scotland's opening Group C fixture, their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998. After failing to register a win in two European Championship appearances over the past five years, this victory marks a significant milestone for the national team, breaking a three-decade-long drought at major competitions.
Speaking to BBC Sport, McGinn articulated his joy, stating, "We've been through a lot of hurt as a country. A generation of supporters haven't seen this." He added, "The pride on my face this morning, seeing all the kids go to the parks in a Scotland kit, painting their face. Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they'll be beaming with pride, because I am. What a win, and it sets us up for Friday [against Morocco]."
Despite Haiti being ranked 83rd in the world, the match was by no means straightforward. Manager Steve Clarke acknowledged the pressure, commending his defence as "outstanding" for withstanding late surges from the Caribbean nation. The victory was crucial, given the calibre of Scotland's other Group C opponents, Brazil and Morocco, both ranked in the world's top 10.
Scotland's triumph places them at the top of Group C after the earlier stalemate between Brazil and Morocco. Clarke reflected on the achievement, telling Andy Robertson, "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. We could have been a bit better with the ball, but who cares; we won.”
The result provides a significant boost to Scotland's chances of progressing from the group stage, with their next challenge coming against Morocco on Friday.
Source: BBC Sport