Months of waiting for this fixture to come around, years of heartbreak in a Scotland shirt, and decades filled with hope yet met with anguish — but not on Sunday morning. That was a cause for jubilation.

A spine-tingling rendition of Flower of Scotland was belted around the Boston Stadium; it’s a wonder it wasn’t heard all the way back home, and that was all the boys in tartan required to fuel their desire for their first three points at a World Cup in 36 years.

Both Haiti and Scotland were vying for three points, given an earlier draw between Brazil and Morocco meant pole position was wide open, and it was the Scots who cemented their place at the top — but not without trials.

In the opening exchanges, Haiti had the more clear-cut opportunities but became wasteful in possession, with shots flying everywhere. Despite this, their game plan looked evident: wait for Scotland to advance up the pitch, then hit on the counter-attack — and it mostly worked.

The Haitians piled on the pressure for 17 drawn-out minutes. Well, that was before Scotland hero, Scott McTominay rattled the post. Scintillating play down the right-hand side from Gannon-Doak opened up space on the edge of the box, which was quickly occupied by McTominay, who made no mistake in thumping the ball towards goal, but the post bailed Haiti out.

The tension in the stadium shifted. There was belief from both sides that a goal was imminent, although many may have thought it would come for the opposition — but Super John McGinn was having none of that.

McGinn, who is no stranger to a goal of magnitude, was simply in the right place at the right time, much to the delight of every Scot known to man. In the 28th minute, Che Adams’ low effort was initially saved by the Haiti keeper but ricocheted back into play, where McGinn was waiting to catapult Scotland into the lead. 0-1

Now, this goal defined Scotland through the years — scrappy but fortunate. Nothing sums up our fortune more than a double deflection taking McGinn’s shot over the keeper — not that the Tartan Army will care.

Many may have thought this would light a fire under Scotland to push for more; however, it naturally made Haiti more determined. They picked up every loose ball and continued to mount the pressure.

Angus Gunn in the Scotland net will have breathed a sigh of relief in the 34th minute as Hendry bailed him out. Haiti’s electric winger, Providence, dipped the shoulder to get his shot away — a shot that looked to be a routine save but was palmed back out by Gunn for Pierrot to head goalward. Thanks to Hendry’s goal-line clearance, however, Scotland’s blushes were spared. Scotland’s nail appeared to be on a shoogly peg.

Magic McGinn had Scotland’s final opportunity to double their lead in the 73^rd minute after Hickey’s header through found the midfielder in acres of space, but he dragged his shot inches wide of the post.

The final chance of the match naturally fell to Haiti, as would it truly be a Scotland match without a last-chance saloon for the opposition? A wicked cross found the head of Pierrot, who had risen highest, but his effort flashed over the bar, much to the relief of the Tartan Army. 

In truth, neither team deserved to lose. Scotland’s performance encapsulated so much about the nation: perseverance and heart, whereas Haiti proved they were relentless and willing to gamble.

For Scotland, all that mattered was the three points. They had won their first of three cup finals, and the sweetest sensation of all was that they now sit top of the group — onwards and upwards to the next match.

We shall not be moved!