Scotland began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Boston, a win that carried far more weight than the scoreline suggests. The result ended a long drought for the national team, marking Scotland's first World Cup win in 36 years. For the travelling supporters, it was the kind of moment they had waited decades to witness.
The decisive moment came in the first half through John McGinn. The midfielder struck in the 28th minute to give Scotland the lead, and it proved to be the only goal of the match. That single strike was enough to settle a tense encounter and hand Steve Clarke's side a vital opening victory in Group C.
It was, at times, a rearguard action for Scotland after they took the lead. Haiti pushed for an equaliser and enjoyed long spells of possession, forcing the Scots to defend deep and ride out the pressure. In what was described as a nervy performance, Clarke's players held firm to protect their advantage and see out the three points.
The win was made even sweeter by events elsewhere in the group. Group C rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in New Jersey, a result that opened the door for Scotland. With three points from their opener, the Scots moved to the top of Group C, an unexpectedly strong position at this early stage.
For Scotland, the victory was about far more than the table. Ending a 36-year wait for a World Cup win lifted a heavy burden from a side that has known plenty of heartbreak on the biggest stage. The opening result gives Steve Clarke's team belief and momentum heading into the rest of the group phase.
Off the pitch, the celebrations stretched long into the night. The Tartan Army, who had travelled in numbers to the United States, marked the win in Boston with the noise, the bagpipes and the colour that have become their trademark. For Scottish supporters, a tense win over Haiti became the spark for a party decades in the making.