Scotland fans celebrated after the men’s national team secured a win in their first World Cup game in 28 years, with scenes of joy at a Glasgow fanzone.
Fans across the country stayed up into the early hours of the morning to watch Steve Clarke’s side defeat Haiti 1-0 in their first World Cup fixture since 1998.
Thousands of Tartan Army diehards gathered for a fanzone event at the Ovo Hydro arena in Glasgow, one of many large venues and pubs which stayed open late to host watch parties for the game in Boston.
The arena erupted as fans watched John McGinn’s 28th-minute goal on a 20-metre screen.
Fans cheered and hugged each other as Scotland took the lead.
However, the atmosphere remained tense going into the second half as an eager Haiti team sought to equalise.
When the final whistle blew, the thousands of supporters roared and jumped up and down, with drinks sent flying into the air.
Fans chanted “no Scotland, no party” as they celebrated the win, dancing on the floor of the venue.
One of the younger Tartan Army supporters was Darcy Morrison, 12, who attended along with her mother and brother.
She said: “It was really good, but I think we could of done better.
“I thought we were going to beat them 4-0 but we didn’t.”
Denise Rae, 52, from Aberdeen, was dressed in a Scotland bucket hat and sunglasses to celebrate the moment.
“It was amazing,” she said.
“It’s been a long time coming. Come on, Scotland, we can do it. Let’s get to the next round. No Scotland, no party!”
Shona Weston, 61, from Aberdeen, said the game was “absolutely fabulous”.
“It was beyond expectations,” she added.
Zach Wyllie, 12, from Clackmannanshire, said Scotland could have done better, but he was still celebrating the result.
“I think we could have done a bit better,” he said.
“We squandered a lot of chances, but we got the win.”
Fiona Barrie, 24, said the game was a “big deal” for her older sister, Dee.
“She was born the last time Scotland were in the World Cup, she was 74 minutes old at the final whistle. So it’s a big deal for her,” she said.
For two fans from Paisley, 19-year-old Emily Murney and 18-year-old Martha Townsend, the win was particularly special as they have never seen Scotland in the World Cup before.
Emily said: “Something this exciting doesn’t come across very often for Scottish football fans.
“Our team doesn’t really get out there very much.”
For Martha, the Scotland game was the first match she had watched live.
She said: “I think it’s great that we were getting to experience something, especially at this age.
“You get to have fun and not worry about anything.”
Fans had earlier spoken of their optimism during the half-time break.
William MacGregor, 41, from Dumbarton, said it had been a “nail-biting” first 45 minutes.
“But we’re up at half-time so we can’t complain. Another goal and I think we would be a wee bit more secure,” Mr MacGregor said.
He described the atmosphere in the arena as “bouncing”.
“Drinks were flying everywhere when the goal went in. Not mine, I kept mine,” he added.
Kieran Gallagher, 34, travelled from Oban to the OVO Hydro for the fanzone.
Despite Scotland finishing the first half one-nil up, he was not satisfied with the performance from the national team.
He said: “Haiti have been the better team. And that doesn’t make sense.”
He added: “They want it more. They definitely want it more.”
The sold-out event at the Ovo Hydro had more than 5,500 people gathering for the World Cup match.
Dominic McKay, chief executive of the Scottish Events Campus and the OVO Hydro, said he believes the Glasgow fan party is the “largest ever” in Scotland at 2am.
Ahead of the game, he told Press Association: “We’re here tonight for Scotland’s opening game of the World Cup, Scotland playing Haiti, and we’ve thrown open the doors of the Hydro to welcome Scots who have been unable to get to America, but want to come and celebrate and have a bit of a fun experience.”
The Hydro is a busy venue with about 150 shows a year, but Mr McKay said this event is a “really special one”.
“It’s a show for Scotland, and opening the doors up to the Scottish public is something we’re proud to be able to do, and it’s been a huge success, and a tribute to everyone that’s been part of it,” he said.
The late-night kick-offs for Scotland’s group stage games means that most councils around the country have chosen to allow extended licensing hours for pubs and other venues.
The hospitality trade expects to see a sales boost of about 40% in pubs and bars.
Monday, June 15 will be a bank holiday to mark the occasion.
