{"id":2665,"date":"2026-06-14T05:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T05:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=2665"},"modified":"2026-06-14T05:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T05:33:37","slug":"in-surprising-turn-the-powerhouse-europeans-need-the-scots-to-kick-start-their-run-at-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=2665","title":{"rendered":"In surprising turn, the powerhouse Europeans need the Scots to kick-start their run at World Cup 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FOXBOROUGH \u2014 European teams fully expect to succeed at the World Cup, and for good reason. Eight of the last 10 finalists have been European, and they\u2019ve won four of the last five titles. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more With its opening win over Haiti, Scotland gets the party started for its rollicking fans<\/a><\/p>\n

They are favored again this time, but they\u2019ve seldom made such a slow start.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until Scotland\u2019s 1-0 victory over Haiti before a crowd of 64,106 Saturday night, Euro teams had been winless in this World Cup. Sure, the heavyweights \u2014 the Dutch and Germans \u2014 don\u2019t get started until Sunday. But it usually doesn\u2019t take this long for Europe to flex its muscles. In Qatar, its teams had compiled a 3-0-3 record after the first three days.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Related: <\/span><\/span>World Cup scores and schedules<\/div>\n

Scotland, though, showed how even an average European team can efficiently achieve a result against an inexperienced foe. The Scots got started quickly, with John McGinn\u2019s backheel to Andy Robertson setting up Scott McTominay. Then, McTominay slammed a drive off the right post following a Ben Gannon-Doak feed in the 17th minute. Finally, Che Adams controlled a long ball, and McGinn\u2019s deflected shot got past Haitian keeper Johnny Placide in the 28th minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

And that was that.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Scots controlled the pace, stifling Haiti\u2019s midfield, and staying close to forwards Wilson Isidore and Frantzdy Pierrot, whose best chance was a strong header just wide in the 85th minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/span><\/span>Sullivan: From Haiti to Melrose to FIFA\u2019s biggest stage \u2014 the World Cup \u2014 Frantzdy Pierrot enjoying his trip home<\/div>\n

And Scotland left the impression it could improve, should McTominay get into gear. McTominay arrived in Boston separate from the team, after experiencing a stomach ailment, taking a separate flight with a team doctor. McTominay seemed fine against Haiti, but not as dynamic as he had been in qualifying, or in leading SS Napoli in Italy\u2019s Serie A.<\/span><\/p>\n

McGinn, though, found himself in the middle of the action, trying everything to slip by opponents, and pleading with referee Mustapha Ghorbal when things didn\u2019t work out. <\/span><\/p>\n

But there are other Scottish difference-makers. Serie A performers Adams (Torino) and Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), plus Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth). But the team\u2019s fortunes rest with the defense. The Scots seem ruthless enough, but might need more than physicality to succeed. Andy Hickey and substitute Curtis Finley were cautioned, and everyone was willing to mix it up. But Haiti failed to find Isidore and Pierrot often enough to truly test the back line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Trump turns 80 with a showstopping spectacle of cage fights at the White House. But big issues loom.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: <\/span><\/span>Check out all the photos from Saturday’s Scotland-Haiti showdown in Foxborough<\/div>\n

The Scots are making their first World Cup appearance since 1998. And McGinn\u2019s goal was their first since Craig Burley \u2014 now an ESPN commentator \u2014 converted in a 4-1 loss to Argentina in Bordeaux. Their odds are 150-to-1, and their best chance of advancing was expected to be as a third-place group team. <\/span><\/p>\n

That was before Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 tie. Now, they might be able to realistically contend for at least the runnerup spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/span><\/span>World Cup group standings<\/div>\n

Scotland\u2019s organized, physical style indicates they will be difficult to defeat. Coach Steve Clarke has been developing the squad since replacing Alex MacLeish in 2019. Clarke has been able to create a club atmosphere, with rivals cooperating and competing for a cause. Robertson has been a key figure. Named captain at 24 years of age, Robertson ended up becoming an inspiring figure, his profile raised while having a long Liverpool career. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just tried to lead by example,\u201d Robertson said before the game. \u201cI\u2019ve always just been the way I believe \u2014 give 100 percent, always be respectful. I\u2019ve grown into the role, as well. Got the captaincy kind of young, probably made mistakes, as well. But, at that point, there was an issue of players showing up on a regular basis, and I just made a promise to myself \u2014 injured not injured, 100 percent not 100 percent \u2014 that I would always show up. And people would join me, and, thankfully, I have good lads around me \u2014 McGinn, McTominay, [Ryan] Christie, [Kenny] McLean. They came with me and they have that same attitude. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, all of a sudden, you\u2019ve got people desperate to come [to the national team]. And, it\u2019s a weird thing, but now everyone is desperate to come for their country, be a part of it, and that\u2019s been able to create a culture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/span><\/span>More World Cup coverage<\/div>\n

As for the Haitians, their only other World Cup appearance was in 1974. They started spectacularly in then-West Germany, but were eliminated after three games. Now, it will be difficult for Les Grenadiers to survive. But, at least they don\u2019t seem as vulnerable as they were in \u201974. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more What to know about alpha-gal syndrome, the life-threatening meat allergy caused by tick bites<\/a><\/p>\n

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Scotland is ready for the afterparty outside of FIFA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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Outside the FIFA Fan Fest Scotland fans celebrate their win against Haiti.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Until the Tartan Army faithful cheered their team to a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Foxborough, Euro teams had been winless in the tournament. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\nIn surprising turn, the powerhouse Europeans need the Scots to kick-start their run at World Cup 2026 - Boston Relocation Insider<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=2665\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In surprising turn, the powerhouse Europeans need the Scots to kick-start their run at World Cup 2026 - 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