Jubilant supporters in Scotland are marking their team’s first World Cup victory in 36 years.
Fans had assembled in pubs and locations nationwide with eager anticipation to watch the opening fixture against Haiti, despite the 02:00 BST start time.
Cheers of joy erupted when John McGinn scored the goal that proved sufficient to secure a vital 1-0 win, followed by a sense of relief when the final whistle sounded at the stadium thousands of miles away in Boston.
It is believed that as many as 30,000 supporters journeyed to the United States for the game, filling both the stadium and the designated fan zone.
Back home, those fans who remained awake late into the night—or rose exceptionally early—emerged blinking into the morning sunlight as they contemplated a result that leaves Scotland at the top of their group.
The nation has been captivated by the lead-up to the men’s team’s first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.
Supporters had crowded into pubs and other establishments that had been granted extended licenses to broadcast the match.
These ranged from the thousands who flocked to the OVO Hydro in Glasgow for what was promoted as the country’s largest fan zone, to smaller community gatherings across the nation.
Around 500 people watched the action on large screens at a fan zone at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom.
The doors had opened at 22:30 BST on Saturday beneath a stunning orange sunset sky, with fans ushered in by a bagpiper.
Hours later, daylight greeted those delighted supporters, many dressed in Saltires and Scotland jerseys, as they streamed back onto the streets.
Nineteen-year-old Alex Stewart, from Forfar, was among those celebrating.
“For me, it’s the first time seeing Scotland at a World Cup, and watching us win a game is incredible.
“We’re sitting top of the group. It opens the group up completely.”
Looking ahead to the next two group matches, he added: “You’ve got two big names in Brazil and Morocco… just go for it.”
Craig Stewart, 31, also from Forfar, was “ecstatic” about the outcome.
While he acknowledged the performance had been “shaky,” he emphasized that the result was what ultimately counted.
Lefika Duncan Taukobong, 36, predicted a Scotland win and remains optimistic about the nation’s prospects at the World Cup.
“Miracles happen—Scotland are going through to the knockouts,” he said.
Greens Sports Bar was one of 50 venues in Dumfries and Galloway that opted to open late for the Haiti game.
More than 200 fans watched the drama unfold in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Liam Logue, who runs the Dumfries pub with his wife Cas, said the World Cup had provided a welcome boost for business.
“It would be great to see us get through to the next round for the first time,” he remarked.
Shaun McGeachan was among those who cheered when the final whistle blew.
“It’s by far one of the biggest football moments for my generation,” he said.
“It was great to see the sea of navy shirts and hands holding pints in the air.
“We’ve got to keep getting behind the team and hoping they can push on through.”
For Ryan Kerr and his friends Matthew and David Smith, it was the first time watching Scotland at a World Cup.
“The whole week building up to it has been amazing,” said Ryan.
But he expressed some concern about what he observed from the other two teams in Scotland’s group earlier in the night.
“We’ll need to play well against Brazil and Morocco,” he said.
“A point against Morocco might take us through.”
Among those watching the game in the fan zone on the other side of the Atlantic was Chris Goodman from Stirling.
He described feeling “euphoric” after witnessing the victory alongside his son Jack.
“It’s something I never thought I’d see again, so to be here with my son… I’m over the moon.”
David Grindlay from Glasgow was there with his friend Alistair Fleming.
“We’ve waited 28 years for this moment, and it feels fantastic,” he said.
“This is my third World Cup, and this one is special. I’m over the moon.”
Amy Devine, 30, from Pollokshields in Glasgow, is staying with her friend Izzie Schmaltz, 27, who is from Boston but formerly lived in Glasgow.
Amy said: “I’m so emotional, I’ve cried about 10 times today.
“My husband is at the game, and he’s sent me photos of him crying too.”
Izzie said she was celebrating wins for both of her teams—Scotland and the US.
“Everything I touch turns to gold. I mean, we’ve basically won the World Cup now, right? We’re top of the group,” she said.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere, it’s like being back in Glasgow. Look around you, it’s like a Saturday night in Glasgow.”
Now fans are hoping for further celebrations as they gear up for Scotland’s next match on Friday night against Morocco.
‘Fans in good spirits’ - police
There was praise on Sunday for the behavior of fans who watched the game across Scotland.
Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said pubs and fan zones nationwide had collaborated with the force to “deliver a safe and secure environment for all to enjoy the occasion.”
He stated: “Officers were deployed across Scotland as part of our proportionate policing plan, and I’m delighted to say most reported fans in good spirits, conducting themselves in a responsible manner, with only a couple of isolated incidents requiring our involvement.”
He noted that a 30-year-old man was arrested and reported in connection with a disturbance in Inverness. An officer was assaulted at the scene but did not require medical treatment.
In another incident, a 37-year-old man was seriously assaulted in the Neilston area of Glasgow. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
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