Gareth Bale quit football at age of 33 AL-RAYYAN, QATAR - ARCHIVE: A file photo dated November 21, 2022 shows Gareth Bale 11 of Wales reacts during FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qatar 2022 Group B match between USA and Wales at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar on November 21, 2022. Gareth Bale, who plays in Los Angeles, one of the American First Division MLS, Fussball Herren, USA teams, ended his active football life at the age of 33. Ar Rayyan Qatar. Editorial use only. Please get in touch for any other usage. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxTURxUSAxCANxUKxJPNxITAxFRAxAUSxESPxBELxKORxRSAxHKGxNZL Copyright: x2025xAnadoluxMustafaxYalcÄnx
Scotland’s World Cup campaign is up and running after a historic victory gave the nation its first tournament win since 1990.
John McGinn scored the only goal of the game against Haiti at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, ending a 28-year wait for World Cup success.
The Tartan Army has taken Boston by storm, with celebrations continuing long into the night following the famous result.
Scotland sit top of Group C after Brazil and Morocco drew their opening fixture 1-1, giving Steve Clarke’s side a favourable early position.
Morocco are next up for Scotland, again in Boston, and a single point from that encounter would almost certainly secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.
Three points may ultimately prove enough to progress, though Clarke will be targeting strong performances in the remaining two group games.
According to Football Meets Data, a goal difference of minus one gives Scotland an 87.5% chance of progression from the group stage.
That figure drops to 69.4% at minus two, and further still to 47.3% if Scotland finish the group with a goal difference of minus three.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin lamented the absence of the injured Billy Gilmour, telling the BBC: “We have never, ever missed Billy Gilmour more than we did tonight. A player who can get the ball, hold the ball, play passes, take it in difficult areas and be the metronome we know he can be.”
Nevin also suggested Scotland may hold a surprise advantage heading into their remaining fixtures, adding: “I don’t think anybody is going to be quaking in their boots to play Scotland but what they don’t know is we can do a lot better than that, and that’s maybe our secret weapon.”
Tartan Army favourite James McFadden captured the mood of the nation during BBC commentary, saying: “Winning games at major tournaments isn’t something Scotland do regularly. Haiti caused problems, but the resilience shown — that’s what has been forged in this group.”
McFadden acknowledged the manner of the win was far from comfortable but insisted the result was what mattered, stating: “It wasn’t enjoyable but I would have taken an ugly 1-0 win before the game.”
Haiti head coach Sebastien Migne refused to give up on his side’s chances of progression despite the defeat, insisting: “With Haiti, nothing is ever easy. If we are to qualify, it will be a struggle, and maybe it will happen in the last few minutes of the third game.”
The two sets of supporters have struck up a warm friendship in Boston, with Haitian fans and the Tartan Army continuing to mix despite the result on the pitch.
Scotland’s famous travelling support has drawn widespread praise from the global football community, with world media reacting enthusiastically to the colour and noise brought to the tournament.
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