Happy Rod: Scotland kick off with a win

The trip was well worth it, even if the Scottish national football team’s 1–0 (1–0) victory in their opening World Cup match against Haiti was rather lacklustre. But the Bravehearts’ return to the big football stage after a 28-year absence from the World Cup was ultimately a success, and superfan Sir Rod Stewart, who had travelled to Boston with his wife Penny and sons Alastair and Liam, had every reason to celebrate.

In its match report, the German football magazine “Kicker” writes: Led by captain and current Liverpool player Robertson, the favourites, the Bravehearts, took the initiative early on and had their first good chance through Napoli’s McTominay, who headed just over the bar (7th minute). But once Haiti had shaken off their nerves, the underdogs got into the game: with aggressive pressing, Haiti repeatedly won the ball back and pushed forward quickly. In a move involving the two Premier League players, Bellegarde (Wolverhampton) shot over from Isidor’s (Sunderland) assist (11th minute).

It was now an evenly matched game, with both sides taking turns having good spells. But whilst Haiti lacked clarity in and around the penalty area, the Scots demonstrated this twice: First, McTominay crashed the ball against the post (17'), before McGinn pounced on an Adams chance to make it 1-0 – the Aston Villa Europa League winner was fortunate that his shot was deflected unstoppably (28').

As Pierrot failed to capitalise on a goalkeeping error by Gunn (34'), the teams went into the break with Scotland in the lead.

After the break, however, the game completely fell apart. Scotland had adjusted their defence better to Haiti’s style of play and no longer offered any space for quick counter-attacks. The price they paid was their own lack of threat in attack. It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that there was another noteworthy attempt on goal, with McGinn narrowly missing out on a brace. Haiti also made their presence felt once again through Providence (74).

For the men from the Caribbean island, it was the wake-up call for a final push, and as a result, Haiti were able to cause more chaos, much like in the first half. Yet the underdogs continued to lack luck in the penalty area. Pierrot also squandered the best chance, heading wide from six yards out with no pressure on him (85'). So it remained a rather unglamorous victory for the Scots, which the Tartan Army in Boston nevertheless celebrated loudly.