Three thoughts from Scotland's win over Haiti in the World Cup

FOXBORO — The night transpired as expected.Scotland found a welcoming start to its World Cup run at Boston Stadium vs. Haiti.

Scotland’s return to the tournament, after nearly 30 years away, saw its fans fill each corner of Boston Stadium on Saturday night. John McGinn provided the winning goal in a 1-0 result that surged Scotland to the top of the Group C table.Scotland’s alternate red kits dotted Boston Stadium in an unintentional nod to the New England Patriots and the football team’s success in the building.

It certainly had the backing of a crowd of 64,146 and returns to Boston Stadium on Friday, June 19th for Game 2 against Morocco. Haiti meets Brazil on Friday at Philadelphia Stadium.For more on Scotland vs.

Haiti, read on below:Scotland did what it needed toScotland couldn’t leave the first night of the tournament without three points. Brazil and Morocco are the tougher sides in the group and a win against Haiti was a necessary result to advance to the knockout round.McGinn struck in the 28th minute as he returned a rebound past Johny Placide.

The initial shot from Che Adams found McGinn just beyond the penalty spot as the midfielder settled with his right foot and knuckled in the winner off Haiti's Jean-Ricner Bellegarde for the advantage.Ben Gannon-Doak initiated the sequence from the right side — a spot Scotland found success in over the first 45 minutes. Scott McTominay, from Gannon-Doak, nearly announced himself to the tournament in the 17th minute with a strike that clipped the right post.

McGinn’s goal, though, was all Scotland needed to book a win in its first appearance since 1998. And Scotland’s second win in last 12 World Cup games (2-1 vs. Sweden in 1990 group stage).

Haiti plays tough despite lossThe second half provided a different experience for the Haitians. They weren’t the underdog that trailed in their first World Cup appearance since 1974 and just second overall. Scotland was tagged with three yellow cards over the final 45 minutes.

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