GREAT SCOT

Scotland reintroduced themselves to the Geopolitics World Cup in Boston and have settled in nicely, warmly welcomed even by the city’s finest. Their 1-0 win over Haiti won’t trouble the Louvre, but it will do very nicely for the Tartan Army’s emotional support portfolio. John McGinn’s first-half deflected finish gave Scotland their first World Cup win since 1990. The result also meant that it is now 27 years, 11 months and 19 days since Scotland last lost a match at the men’s World Cup.

The victory put Steve Clarke’s side top of Group C, which feels thrilling given the five-time champions Brazil and the African champions (don’t tell Senegal) Morocco are still to come. There were moments of control, moments of panic, but Steve Clarke opted for the ‘job done’ approach to his analysis after the match. “I am absolutely delighted with my players,” tooted Scotland’s manager. “Resilience, character had to be on the pitch tonight. Everyone told us it was a must-win game and we won. When you win a must-win game, you have to be happy with yourselves.”

Andy Robertson, meanwhile, showed more chest-thumping spirit after Scotland’s first appearance at a men’s World Cup since 1998. “What an amazing feeling. The lads achieved their dreams today,” the Liverpool Tottenham defender cheered. “It was such a long day waiting, I can’t imagine what the fans back home were like staying up so late.” Robertson also confirmed the key tactical insight of the night: don’t let the ball in. “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.”

Haiti spent much of the night refusing to behave like an opening-game subplot and their coach Sébastien Migné was understandably torn between pride and frustration. “When you play a match, what you’re trying to do is win,” he sighed. “On one hand, I’m very proud of what the boys showed tonight. It was a very good showing, with some good football. When we know where we’re coming from, we rose to the challenge, but it makes it that much more frustrating that we came up slightly short.”

So Scotland leave Boston with three points, top of the group, and with the kind of early tournament optimism that is best enjoyed quickly before more difficult questions. For now, though, the World Cup has offered them something rare: a win, a clean sheet, and the ability to look at the table without laughing nervously.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE 

Daniel Harris is in the hot seat to bring you minute-by-minute coverage of Germany 3-0 Curaçao from 6pm BST (1pm EDT), with Rob Smyth ready to roll for the Netherlands 2-2 Japan at 9pm BST (4pm EDT). Beau Dure then delivers updates from Côte d’Ivoire 1-1 Ecuador at 12am Monday BST (7pm Sunday EDT) before Jonathan Howcroft also tunes in for Sweden 2-1 Tunisia at Monday 3am BST (10pm Sunday EDT). And yes, our heads have been and are hurting.

RECOMMENDED READING

Everything you need to know (and more) about every squad member at the GWC. All 1,248 of them, in our essential interactive guide. 

 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Irankunda have my children” – Australia fans give a measured response to the Socceroos’s 2-0 win over Turkey and goalscoring hero Nestory Irankunda. Big Website’s Rafqa Touma went down to Melbourne’s Federation Square to meet some excited individuals. And fair enough, to be honest.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

Imagine the horror: the 11th thing I learned (yesterday’s Football Daily) came when your email landed in my inbox on a SATURDAY! For a moment I thought I missed going to work. We are not getting any younger and nor are our hearts” – Krishnamoorthy V (and others).

Re: cult GWC kits (yesterday’s Football Daily). Between the wavy lines of the USA USA USA kit, along with Croatia’s red and white squares, it’s obvious that Bridget Riley is having a great influence on the tournament” – Derrick Cameron.

As a jowly and rapidly swelling middle-aged disappointment (it’s like I ate myself and then asked for seconds) I feel compelled to launch into the GWC fashion debate. While the USA USA USA kit might be striking, is there not a hint of Judge Dredd to the badge? Loved him in the 80s … but deeply unsettling now. Regardless, my vote goes to the Mexico home kit” – Ricardo Brindisi.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day is … Derrick Cameron. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

RECOMMENDED LISTENING/WATCHING

Listen up! It’s the latest World Cup Daily podcast. And watch up! You can watch it here if video is more your thing.  

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