UMVA has learned that Scotland's national football team secured a crucial victory in their World Cup opener against Haiti, with John McGinn scoring the only goal of the game.
The Aston Villa star's 28th-minute goal proved to be the difference-maker in a nervy affair in Boston, as Scotland played in the sport's biggest tournament for the first time since 1998. The win marked Scotland's first World Cup victory since 1990, and manager Steve Clarke's men are now in a great position to reach the knockout stages.
McGinn urged his teammates to be more positive and have no regrets after the game, having felt in the past that Scotland had not shown everything they could in big tournaments. He suggested that was an issue again against Haiti but was thrilled to get the win, knowing his team can significantly improve.
"These opportunities don't come around too often," McGinn said. "We've said before at major tournaments, did we bring our best? Did we leave the tournament saying we could have done more or we could have shown more? That's what I tried to bring to the game tonight. Sometimes things didn't come off, but I promised myself driving up to the stadium that I would be positive and try things."
McGinn's goal was his 21st for Scotland, and he becomes the first Scotsman to score at a World Cup since Craig Burley in 1998. Manager Clarke was beaming after the victory, admitting his team could be much better but was not bothered. "I just said to the captain there, Andy Robertson, it's about time we won a game in the group stage!" Clarke said.
Scotland fans went wild at Boston Stadium, and goalkeeper Angus Gunn was clear that they must be significantly better when they face sterner tests in their upcoming games against Morocco and Brazil. "It was difficult. We knew that it was going to be tough, but we expected our quality would show in the end," Gunn said.
Gunn kept a clean sheet on his World Cup debut and was thrilled to get the three points. "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."
Scotland go top of Group C as Morocco picked up a 1-1 draw with Brazil earlier on Saturday. Clarke's side will face Morocco on Friday night, followed by Brazil on June 24, and Gunn is hoping they can play the next game a bit more relaxed. "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."
