John McGinn Fires Scotland to Hard-Fought Victory Over Haiti in 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C

Scotland has bolstered their prospects in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C by securing a slim but vital 1-0 victory against a resilient Haiti side. The match, serving as the second group game for both nations, was ultimately decided by the clinical instincts of veteran midfielder John McGinn. This win places Scotland in a favorable position within the group standings, while Haiti faces an uphill struggle to keep their knockout stage ambitions alive after a spirited performance that lacked only the finishing touch.

The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute of play following an active start from both teams. After Scotland managed to create a scramble in the Haitian penalty area, a rebound fell kindly to McGinn. The midfielder reacted with characteristic sharpness, capitalizing on the loose ball to fire home the only goal of the contest. While the first half featured back-and-forth action, the Scottish side’s ability to seize their moment during a period of sustained pressure proved to be the fundamental difference between the two sides.

Haiti, undeterred by the deficit, mounted a significant challenge in the second half as they searched for an equalizer. Frantdzy Pierrot came closest to leveling the score, but his effort narrowly missed the mark, leaving the Caribbean nation frustrated. Despite matching Scotland's physicality and creating several nervous moments for the Scottish backline, Haiti was unable to convert their opportunities into goals. Their defensive organization remained solid for much of the game, but the lack of a clinical edge in the final third prevented them from salvaging a point.

This 1-0 result serves as a testament to Scotland’s growing resilience on the world stage, marking a memorable victory that highlights their tactical discipline. As the group stage progresses, Scotland will look to build on this momentum to secure a place in the knockout rounds. For Haiti, the focus must now shift to their final group fixture, where they will need a clinical performance to ensure their World Cup journey continues. The match concluded with Scotland successfully managing the final minutes to protect their narrow lead and claim all three points.