Scotland beats Haiti and becomes leader of Brazil's group at the World Cup
⚡ Quick Summary
Group C of the World Cup, which includes Brazil, has an isolated leader at the end of the first round. On Saturday night (13), Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium, in Boston.
Group C of the World Cup, which includes Brazil, has an isolated leader at the end of the first round. On Saturday night (13), Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium, in Boston.
The three points from their debut leave the Scots at the top of the group based in the United States. Earlier, the Brazilian team drew 1-1 with Morocco at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, and both teams gathered one point. Haitians remain at zero.
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The triumph, in addition to being the first in a World Cup since 1990, brings Scotland closer to a historic feat. The country is competing in the World Cup for the ninth time and is trying, in an unprecedented way, to go beyond the group stage. In this Cup, the eight best third-placed teams among the 12 groups also advance to the second stage of the competition.
The teams return to the field next Friday (19). The Scots face Morocco, at 7pm (Brasília time), again in Boston. Then, at 9:30 pm, Haiti will face Brazil, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia.
Balanced first half
Those who expected Haiti to be withdrawn due to its debut at the World Cup saw a balanced first half. There were eight shots from the Caribbean team against seven from Scotland. The Europeans exchanged more passes in search of space, while the Haitians tried to get out at speed, even if they were technically lacking.
The Scots were more efficient. If, in the 16th minute, Scott McTominay's shot stopped at the left post, John McGinn did not waste the opportunity he had in the 27th minute, sending the rebound into the net from Johny Placide, who made a great save from striker Che Adams' shot. Haiti midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's deflection took the ball out of the goalkeeper's reach.
The Caribbeans were not intimidated and gave the Scottish defense a hard time. In the 33rd minute, full-back Martin Experiénce received the ball in the area, on the left, and crossed the ball. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn hit the ball at the feet of striker Frantzdy Pierrot, but defender Grant Hanley blocked the shot at the right time.
Haiti pressed in the 2nd half
The pace of the game dropped significantly around halftime. It took 25 minutes for the first dangerous shot of the second half: a shot from McGinn off Placide, which went close to the post.
The Haitian response came in the next attack, in a cross from Ruben Providence, from the edge of the area on the left, which fellow striker Wilson Isidor, very narrowly, did not complete into the net.
In the final minutes, the Caribbean team launched an attack once and for all, and Scotland closed in on defense. Physically exhausted, Haiti abused aerial balls in stoppage time, looking for Pierrot's good height, but the Europeans managed to hold off the pressure and secure the victory.
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