Scotland are ahead of Haiti in Group C after John McGinn's shot took a deflection and found the net in their first men's World Cup game in 28 years. For a side back on the stage after nearly three decades away, the opening goal changed the match fast.
The moment mattered because Scotland had not played a men's World Cup game for 28 years before this one, and the lead gave them the kind of start they needed. In the other Group C match, Brazil and Morocco were level 1-1, so the group picture was already moving while Scotland tried to hold their advantage.
The goal was not a clean finish. Liam McLeod said it was not the perfect strike by McGinn and that it had taken two deflections, leaving the keeper with no chance. That only added to the sense of a night built on small margins, with Scotland taking the opening they were given rather than forcing the issue with a perfect shot.
There had already been warning signs at both ends. Wilson Isidor headed wide at the front post after a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde free-kick, Angus Gunn made a mess of a save before Jack Hendry headed the rebound away from goal, and Che Adams was onside in the build-up to another Scotland move that ended with Lawrence Shankland heading off target. When McGinn's effort finally went in, Pat Nevin's reaction on air summed up the mood: “Goalllllllllllll Scotland yassssssssssss”.
Radio commentary was available through the watch and listen tab, and the updates were being delivered as the match unfolded rather than as a finished report. That matters because the one thing still missing from the picture is the result: Scotland had the lead, but the final outcome was not confirmed in the live updates. For now, the story is the rare sight of Scotland scoring first in a men's World Cup match again, and the question is whether they could turn that long-awaited start into something more lasting.
