With the pre-match favourites having played out a draw earlier in the round, the winner of this encounter had a golden opportunity to move to the top of Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the end, it was Scotland who claimed all three points, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Haiti and climbing to the summit of the standings.

There were expectations that Scotland would produce a more convincing display, especially given what was at stake. Instead, the Europeans struggled to create chances and looked far from their best. The victory may have lifted them to first place in the group, but a slender 1-0 scoreline could prove costly when goal difference comes into play later in the competition. Unless Scotland can take points from upcoming clashes against Morocco and Brazil, their path to the knockout stages remains uncertain.

The key moments were few and far between. Scott McTominay came closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck the post, while the decisive goal arrived courtesy of John McGinn, whose effort found the net with the help of a deflection. Remarkably, those were virtually the only notable attacking contributions from the Scottish side.

To underline their lack of attacking intent, Scotland did not win their first corner kick until the 56th minute. Meanwhile, Haiti matched their opponents for long periods and, at times, looked the more adventurous team. On another day, the Caribbean side might have walked away with a valuable point.

World Cup 2026

Haiti - Scotland 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: McGinn J., 28 (0:1)

Haiti: Placide; Arcus; Adé; Delcroix; Expérience; Jean Jacques; Bellegarde; Deedson (Casimir, 61); Providence (Fortune Y., 86); Isidor (Joseph Le., 76); Pierrot
Substitution: Casimir (from 61); Joseph Le. (from 76); Fortune Y. (from 86)
Bench: Pierre A.; Duverger; Paugain; Thermoncy; Duverne; Lacroix; Sainté; Pierre L.; Simon; Pierre W.; Etienne; Nazon
Yellow Cards: Bellegarde 39

Scotland: Gunn; Hanley G.; Hickey (Patterson N., 75); Robertson A.; Hendry J.; McTominay; McGinn J. (Curtis F., 83); Ferguson L.; Doak (Christie, 75); Adams C. (Dykes, 75); Shankland (McLean, 83)
Substitution: Patterson N. (from 75); Dykes (from 75); Christie (from 75); McLean (from 83); Curtis F. (from 83)
Bench: Kelly L.; Gordon C.; McKenna S.; Tierney; Souttar; Hyam; Ralston; Fletcher T.; Stewart R.; Hirst
Yellow Cards: Hickey 46; Curtis F. 91; McLean 95