Haiti v Scotland
Play By Play
Scotland are winless in their last nine FIFA World Cup encounters with sides from the Americas (two draws and seven losses). This run includes their only previous meeting with CONCACAF opposition: a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in 1990.
McLean is a bit too eager to close down Casimir as he raises a boot high to try and win the ball in the air - catching the knee of the Haiti substitute instead. It’s a yellow card for the Scotland midfielder and a free-kick for the Grenadiers, with time quickly running out.
The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Curtis raises his boot high and catches Casimir, who was in pursuit of the ball, which earns the Scotland substitute a yellow card.
Scotland have never lost a World Cup match in which they were leading at half-time (three wins and two draws).
Though they haven't managed as many shots in the second half (five) as they did in the first (eight), which has led to a lower xG output (0.69 to 0.19), Haiti have looked even more dangerous after the restart. They’ve kept more of the ball than their opponents (51%) and have kept Scotland on their heels for large stretches; forcing Clarke’s side to defend deeper than they would like.
A CHANCE GOES BEGGING FOR HAITI! Their best opportunity of the evening, Arcus takes a touch to receive Jean Jacques’ pass out to the flank before digging out a fantastic cross that finds the head of Pierrot in between the penalty spot and the edge of the six-yard box! Rising highest, the striker turns on the ball with intent but he fails to hit the target with his header - forcing Gunn into a full-stretch dive just in case!
Haiti continue to roll the dice in search of an equaliser, replacing the lively Providence with Fortune.
Looking to add fresh legs into midfield, Curtis is introduced for Scotland, which ends McGinn’s contest 55 minutes after his goal put his side ahead.
Neither starting striker will see out the game for Clarke’s team, as Shankland is the latest player to be withdrawn - giving McLean an opportunity to impress.
Bellegarde takes charge of the latest Haiti corner-kick, but he isn’t able to improve on Providence’s last effort, with Hendry easily able to get his head to it.
Providence’s inswinging corner-kick to the corner of the six-yard box is beaten away by a forceful header from Dykes, who is back to do his defensive duties.
Bellegarde interchanges with Providence 20 yards from goal before turning to hammer a powerful shot that’s blocked at the outset by Hanley to protect Gunn.
Haiti make a substitution of their own at this stage, sending Joseph into the fray for Isidor.
Gannon-Doak is the first Scotland player to make way, with Christie ready to take over on the right wing.
A straight swap at striker for the European side sees Dykes come on for Adams.
The booked Hickey is protected with a quarter-hour remaining, giving up his place to Patterson.
CLOSE! Providence brings play to a standing stop just inside Scotland’s penalty area before changing pace quickly to shift inside and curl a shot towards goal that doesn’t bend back towards the target - or find the foot of an opportunistic Isidor!
WIDE FROM MCGINN! Delcroix’s volleyed clearance is nodded down in midfield by Isidor, but Ferguson intercepts the ball with a powerful diving header that puts it directly into the path of McGinn. With options to his left, the Aston Villa player goes for goal himself but fails to hit the target, dragging his low shot just wide!
Robertson puts the ball right into the path of McTominay at the back post from his free-kick, but a tangle with Jean Jacques takes the pair of players to the ground - with Scotland eventually allowed to restart play from a throw on the far side.
Jean Jacques' rather lazy push in the back of McGinn gives Scotland a free-kick in a promising position wide on the left wing.
This is the first ever encounter between Haiti and Scotland, and the Grenadiers’ first against an opponent from the British Isles.
Just as they had in the first half, Mustapha Ghorbal brings play at Boston Stadium to a halt for a water break, 23 minutes from the end of the game.
With a one-goal lead just after the hour, Scotland’s odds of taking all three points from the match sit at 80% according to the Opta supercomputer. A draw remains a distinct possibility with just under 16%, while Haiti must act soon if they wish to claw something back from the game, with their chances of overturning the deficit just 3.9%.
Jean Jacques’ foul on McGinn in midfield gives Scotland a chance to get their centre-backs forward, but Robertson fails to find the head of a team-mate with his set-piece into the 18-yard box before Haiti win a free-kick of their own to clear their lines.
