McGinn helps Scotland edge past Haiti to seal first World Cup win in 36 years

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.