History made for the Tartan Army as they celebrated their first World Cup victory in 36 years. Two crucial matches against Morocco and Brazil are up next.
John McGinn was the man to make history as his goal was enough to edge out Haiti 1-0 at the Boston Stadium. It was not a particularly easy match for Steve Clarke and his side; however, Scotland sit top of Group C, starting their 2026 World Cup campaign with a vital win.
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Steve Clarke had this to say after the victory against Haiti:
“When you’re told it’s a must win game, and you win it, then the players deserve a lot of credit for that.”
“I think we’re going to find that out over the next two games against two top teams. I think you’ve seen both sides of how we can play. Last week was a friendly match, but we showed we can play with the ball if we’re given time and space.”
Up next for Scotland
The other two nations that make up Group C are World Cup giants Brazil and a Moroccan side that has emerged as a top footballing nation in recent times.
The pair played out a 1-1 draw in New Jersey on Saturday night, meaning Scotland sits top of Group C.
Two huge games up next for Scotland as this coming Friday, the Tartan Army will be back at the Boston Stadium, this time taking on Morocco, who are on the hunt for their first victory in this summer’s World Cup.
Morocco are ranked as the seventh best team in the world, according to FIFA, and they famously made the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar three and a half years ago, ultimately losing to France. Since then, they have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions, albeit in a controversial fashion.
The North African side poses threats from all over the park, with the likes of PSG star fullback Achraf Hakimi, a real danger going forward and Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz, who will be desperate to turn his international career around after he horrendously missed a penalty in the AFCON final earlier this year.
With all due respect to Haiti, on paper, both Brazil and Morocco should come away with three points each when they face Les Grenadiers, meaning it is vital that Scotland at least come away with a draw from either Morocco or Brazil.
However, Steve Clarke and the National side will be gunning for victories in their next two World Cup fixtures, both of which will be huge tests, but the Tartan Army will be hopeful that they can see their nation reach the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
It is important to remember that due to the expansion of the tournament, eight of the best-placed twelve nations now qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup, giving Scotland a huge boost in terms of progressing.
The whole of Scotland will gather once more this Friday night as Scotland and Morocco kicks off at 11 pm GMT. Pubs and clubs will be full once more, and hopefully, we will see similar scenes of celebrations like last weekend.
The third and final match of the group stage for Scotland will take place in Miami on Wednesday, the 24th of June, against five time World Cup winners Brazil.
