Scotland 1-0 Haiti result - John McGinn goal fires Steve Clarke's side top of World Cup Group C as Tartan Army celebrate historic win in Boston

Scotland won their first match at a World Cup finals in 36 years as John McGinn's deflected winner sealed an unconvincing 1-0 victory against battling Haiti in Boston.

Steve Clarke's side were made to sweat for large swathes of a brutal battle in the Boston heat that saw them end the night on top of Group C after Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 earlier in the day in New Jersey.

The only goal of the game came in the 28th minute when Aston Villa skipper McGinn saw his finish deflect into the net after Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide failed to clasp a dangerous cross by Ben Gannon-Doak via a Che Adams' effort, with the ball breaking kindly for McGinn to secure the three points.

In truth, Haiti, ranked a lowly 83rd in the FIFA rankings, deserved at least a draw from the match and should have equalised when Frantzdy Pierrot headed inches wide on 84 minutes from an inviting Carlens Arcus cross.

Scott McTominay also walloped a shot against a post in the first half, with McGinn driving an effort wide in the second half.

But the nerve-settling second goal would not come as a vibrant Haiti provided a genuine threat on the counter-attack.

Scotland, who defeated Sweden 2-1 at Italia '90 in their last World Cup win via a Maurice Johnston winner in Genoa, return to Boston to face Morocco on Friday night, but will require a considerable improvement in their second outing of the finals.

"Just said to the captain [Andy Robertson] there that it was about time we won a game in the group stage," the Scotland manager told the BBC.

"We probably put the supporters through it a bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game!

"This is what this team’s all about. If teams let them play, they play, but if they have to dig in and show that character and resilience, that’s what they do.

"The defence was outstanding. 

"We could have been better with the ball, but who cares? We won."

A good way to sober yourself up. Probably need a few short ones to calm the nerves. That was far from straightforward. But the victory belongs to them.

And it looks that way in Boston tonight with Scotland celebrating a vital three points in their quest to reach the last 32 of this expanded World Cup. Was far from pretty, but pretty effective in the end.

Experience wallops an effort over the bar. That is surely the final action of the match. And the final whistle sounds! Far from convincing, but the W is all that matters. Scotland are up and running. A 1-0 victory. 16th June 1990 was the last time Scotland won one of these matches. 2-1 against Sweden at Italia '90. It has been a long time coming.

Just keep asking questions of Scotland as Christie this time gives it away seconds after Pierrot sees an effort clutched by Gunn. McLean has been booked too for a late one on Casimir. That could have been a red.

Feels like Haiti will throw in cross from any part of the pitch. Have needed no second invitation. Dykes is penalised for a late challenge on Experience.

Scotland looking to break here. Curtis with a very inviting cross, but Haiti deal with it well before Curtis is booked for a high boot foul.

Providence is off and on comes Fortune as the underdogs roll the dice in the closing minutes.

Showing some fine footwork and pace. Tries to pick out Dykes in the middle, but just overcooks the cross as the ball drifts out of play. Tense moments in Boston. This wasn't in the script.

Hanley for once is caught underneath the Bellegarde cross, but Pierrot sees the header miss the target by a whisker. That looked in. Gunn was beaten.

John McGinn is replaced by Findlay Curtis, while Kenny McLean takes over from Lawrence Shankland.

Apart from McGinn's opener, it has been a real battle to keep their noses ahead with Christie penalised for a late challenge. Scotland trying to see this out at 1-0. More changes are coming.

Ruben Providence unleashes a powerful shot, but Patterson makes the block before Hanley is across to stop Joseph troubling the Scotland goal. Haiti so sharp in breaking up the Scotland attacks.

Wilson Isidor is on for Lenny Joseph with Haiti knocking at the door for the equaliser. Scotland feeling the strain now.

Ryan Christie, Nathan Patterson and Lyndon Dykes arrive for Scotland as Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak and Che Adams are given a rest. Scotland forced to clear a corner.

Good touch from the Aston Villa skipper, but he ends up driving the shot a yard or two wide. Providence with a fine cross at the other end, but ball drifts wide. Very dangerous moves from Haiti. As it has been all night long.

McGinn is clipped out wide by Jean Jacques. McTominay appeals for a penalty after going down from the free-kick, but nothing doing amid some holding struggles in the box. Which is a feature of the modern game.

Off the top of the head, it was Stuart McCall and Mo Johnson in a 2-1 win over Sweden in Genoa at Italia '90. When Scotland still went out in the first round.

Which tells you a lot about how this match has unfolded. Can see why Haiti nudged four past New Zealand. They look a bit tasty when the mood takes them. Heading for drinks in the second half. Which is useful again for Steve Clarke and his coaches to have a word or three.

If they had a Shankland in their side, they could easily be on the board here. But Scotland have in the main dealt well with the threat coming to them. All very old school physical challenges. Which won't unduly disturb Grant Hanley.