Scorers
Haiti 0
Scotland 1 (McGinn 29)
Team News
Head Coach Steve Clarke made just a single change from the side who defeated Bolivia impressively in a friendly last weekend, with vice-captain John McGinn starting in place of Ryan Christie who dropped to the bench.
Scott McKenna, who may have been a contender to start in the backline, missed out through a calf injury.
As it happened
Ben Gannon-Doak had the first effort for Scotland in the third minute as he jinked inside and let fly from just outside the box but his effort was held by Johny Placide in the Haiti goal.
In an open start to the game, Scott McTominay had the next chance as he rose highest to meet Andy Robertson’s cross but he could only head over.
McTominay then went even closer in the 17th minute as he struck the right hand post from just outside the area after good work on the wing from Gannon-Doak.
Haiti had grown into the game but it was Scotland who took the lead shortly after the game’s first water break.
Che Adams’ exquisite first touch got Scotland going before more outstanding wing play from Gannon-Doak.
The 20-year-old crossed for Adams’ whose shot was well saved but the loose ball broke to McGinn who scrambled home with the aide of a deflection to give Scotland our first World Cup goal in 28 years.
Scotland were on top but the Haitians remained dangerous on the break and it took a last-gasp tackle from Aaron Hickey in the 38th minute to deny Ruben Providence a certain goal.
Gannon-Doak had been Scotland's biggest threat and a sublime piece of skill on the half way line got him on his way again but this time he could not pick out McGinn with the cutback.
Scotland had the first chance of the second half in the 55th minute as Robertson’s cross, which had just evaded Shankland, reached Gannon-Doak at the far post but his shot was blocked.
After an electric first half, the second half was a more tense affair, with neither side creating much of note prior to the game’s second water break.
After the restart it was almost 2-0 as Aaron Hickey’s sharp header released McGinn who took a touch before dragging a shot narrowly wide of the right hand post.
Haiti were still a threat through and they came close moments later as Providence’s low shot drifted narrowly wide.
Clarke utilised his bench on the latter stages, bringing on Nathan Patterson, Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis and Lyndon Dykes.
There was a heart-mouth moment for the Scotland fans with five minutes to go as Frantzdy Pierrot headed agonisingly wide for Haiti.
Next Up
Scotland will return to the Boston Stadium on Friday to face Morocco in the second match in Group C.
Teams
Haiti: Placide, Arcus, Ade, Delcroix, Experience, Bellegarde, Jean Jacques, Deedson, Providence, Isidor, Pierrot
Unused substitutes: Pierre, Duverger, Thermoncy, Lacroix, Metusala, Duverne, Paugain, Sainte, Simon, Pierre, Etienne, Nazon, Joseph, Fortune, Casimir
Scotland: Gunn, Hickey (Patterson 75), Hendry, Hanley, Robertson, Gannon-Doak (Christie 75), Ferguson, McTominay, McGinn (Curtis 82), Shankland (McLean 82), Adams (Dykes 75)
Unused Substitutes: Kelly, Gordon, Tierney, Fletcher, Dykes, Christie, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Hirst, Patterson, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna
