Scotland opened the action at Boston Stadium with a 1-0 win over Haiti.
Hometown hero Frantzdy Pierrot started up top for Haiti. Captain and goalkeeper Johny Placide (SC Bastia) started in net behind a backline featuring Carlens Arcus (Angers SCO). The midfield was led by the MLS duo of Danley Jean-Jacques and Louicius Deedson as well as Wolves midfielder Jean-Richer Bellegrade.
Che Adams (Torino) started up top in front of a midfield featuring John McGinn (Aston Villa), Scott McTominay (Napoli), and Ben Gannon Doak (Bournemouth). Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest) started in net behind a backline featuring captain Andy Robertson (Tottenham).
The opening minutes of the match were all Scotland as they held possession. Haiti looked to spring on the counter but failed to take advantage of an early chance.
After the 10th minute, Haiti did a good job of holding possession and forcing Scotland to drop back. The Concacaf nation got a free kick in the 13th minute, but once again the chance was wasted. Still, after a difficult start, Haiti was finding its game and breaking into the final third.
Scotland nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a McTominay shot, but it rocketed off the post. Placide was caught going the wrong way but managed to escape without allowing a goal.
After the hydration break, the momentum shifted as John McGinn opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Placide made a great save on the initial attempt, but the rebound went right to McGinn, who had his shot deflected by a Haitian defender to aid its eventual path into the goal.
Scotland takes a 1-0 lead
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) June 13, 2026 at 9:36 PM
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Haiti fought back in the 33rd minute as, after an initial shot, the rebound fell to Pierrot, who wasn't able to draw the game level. Haiti responded well after the goal but struggled to take advantage of the chances it got.
In the 38th minute, Bellegrade got the first card of the game, earning a yellow for his tackle. Overall, Haiti should feel hard done being down a goal. The possession margin was small (55-45 Scotland), and it outshot Scotland (8-7).
Scotland opened the second half with Aaron Hickey being issued a yellow card in the 46th minute. The intensity picked up with some hard tackles being dished out. Haiti made the first change of the evening as Deedson was replaced by Josue Casimir (Auxerre) in the 61st minute.
McGinn nearly added another goal to his tally, but his shot sailed wide. Soon after, in the 73rd minute, Haiti responded with an appetizing cross into the box that didn't find anyone on the receiving end.
Scotland made two changes in the 75th minute with Adams, Hickey, and Gannon Doak leaving the game in favor of Nathan Patterson, Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), and Lyndon Dykes. Haiti also made a change with Lenny Joseph replacing Wilson Isidor.
After the subs, Haiti's attack came alive. The Concacaf nation put Scotland under pressure as it searched for a game-tying goal. Scotland made more changes in the 82nd minute as McGinn and Shankland were replaced by Findlay Curtis (Rangers) and Kenny McLean (Norwich).
Pierrot nearly became the hero as he rose up for a header in the 84th minute, but it narrowly missed the net. He had another chance in stoppage time but was unable to convert.
On another day, Haiti potentially secures a point, but a lack of finishing ability doomed them to walking away without a point. For Scotland, being at the top of the group is a dream start, but some tough matches are ahead.
With the win, Scotland is at the top of Group C with three points and Haiti is last. Scotland plays Morocco on June 19 while Haiti plays Brasil on the same day.
