Haiti 0-1 Scotland: Steve Clarke reflects on 'must-win' World Cup Group C opener as Andy Robertson says players 'achieved their dreams'

Steve Clarke believes the pressure has eased on Scotland after earning their first World Cup victory in 36 years with a 1-0 win over Haiti in their Group C opener.

John McGinn's first-half goal was enough for Scotland to take all three points on their return to the competition, with the Aston Villa midfielder scoring his country's first World Cup goal since Craig Burley against Norway in 1998.

Scotland are top of Group C after Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw with Morocco which has given Clarke's side a major boost in their bid to reach the knockout stages.

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Clarke said: "I'm tired but absolutely delighted with my players; resilience, character, everything about this group of players had to be on the pitch tonight and it was.

"Not relief. Everyone told us it was a must-win game and we won the game. If it is a must-win game and you win, I think you can be happy with yourselves.

"The next two games against teams inside the world's top 10 will be tough games. But obviously we go into them with a little bit less pressure than everybody put on us going into this game.

"And as well as everyone [else], we put a lot of pressure on ourselves going into the first game so we go into the next two games with a little less pressure.

"If we defend as well as we did there and show the same resilience, and hopefully play a little bit better with the ball and create a little bit more, we'll be okay."

Clarke contextualised Scotland's first World Cup finals win since 1990 and only the country's fifth win ever in the finals.

He said: "It tells you how difficult it is for a country like Scotland to go to a World Cup and win games.

"It doesn't happen very often.

"I think these group of players showed their experience tonight.

"I spoke about the disappointment of the two opening performances in the Euros, this time you go with that pressure as well as the pressure of you must win the first game, and they deserve it.

"They have been so good for their nation for the last seven years.

"They deserve to be the team that has finally got another win on the board in the World Cup so delighted for them."

Robertson: We achieved our World Cup dreams today

Andy Robertson said his Scotland team-mates had "achieved their dreams" just by playing at a World Cup.

The now-Tottenham defender was the first captain to lead the Tartan Army out at the tournament since Colin Hendry in 1998, adding that the victory - while important - added the cherry on top of a historic day.

He told BBC Scotland: "What an amazing feeling. The lads achieved their dreams today.

"It was such a long day waiting, I can't imagine what the fans back home were like staying up so late.

"The fact we managed to walk out on to the pitch and sing the national anthem together, it was so special. To then go and follow it up with a win, it doesn't get much better than that.

"Three important points. People expected us to win, but we had to go out and do it. It was so important to win that game and I'm glad we did it.

"The biggest thing was when we scored we didn't look like conceding, and that has to be a credit to every single player out there that defended for their lives.

"We worked so well from a defensive point of view and when you're 1-0 up, that's what you need.

"It's the World Cup, it's the biggest stage. People get nervous near the end, but we felt pretty relaxed on the pitch."

McGinn: We've got more gears to go up

Matchwinner McGinn knows Scotland can play better heading into their next two games.

"It's crucial. This was our pressure game, the favourites going into it," he said.

"Can we play a bit better? Of course we can. But that's brilliant, we go into the games against Brazil and Morocco with more gears to go up.

"Scotland winning at the World Cup again is the main takeaway from tonight.

"Haiti have scored a lot of goals and are dangerous up front. We kept a clean sheet which is very important."

Shankland: There were nerves, but we've experienced the World Cup now

Lawrence Shankland felt there were a few nerves among the Scotland team. As had been well documented, none of them had played at a World Cup before.

However, he reckons now they have a game - and a win - under their belts, it can only help them as they face two further tough group matches.

The forward told BBC Sport: "We knew it was a game we needed to win if we're being realistic about where we want to go.

"No one is under any illusions that it wasn't our best performance, but it's all about winning and we managed to get the job done.

"They're a good side and dangerous on the counter-attack so we knew their threats. All in all, we can be better on the ball, especially in the first half. In the second half, we were a bit better.

"It's human nature. It's been 28 years since we've been to a World Cup, everyone has reminded us of that.

"You feel the pressure going into the game and it probably is a bit nervy out there at times, but we'll take confidence [from the game].

"We've played our first game now and got over that hurdle. We've experienced it now and we'll move on to the next one with two difficult games to come."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Haiti 0-1 Scotland: Steve Clarke reflects on 'must-win' World Cup Group C opener as Andy Robertson says players 'achieved their dreams'