Jubilation as Scotland fans celebrate first World Cup win in 36 years

Jubilant Scotland fans are celebrating a first World Cup victory in 36 years.

Supporters had gathered in bars and venues across the country with a sense of anticipation to watch the opening match against Haiti – despite the 02:00 BST kick-off time.

There were roars of delight at the John McGinn goal which proved to be enough to earn a crucial 1-0 victory – and then relief when the final whistle blew at the stadium thousands of miles away in Boston.

It is estimated that up to 30,000 thousand fans travelled to the US for the match, filling up both the stadium and the fan zone.

Back home, those fans who stayed up late – or got up very early – emerged blinking into the early morning sunshine as they reflected on a result which sees Scotland top their group.

The nation has been gripped by the build-up to the men’s team’s first match in a World Cup since 1998.

Fans had packed out the pubs and other venues which had been granted late licenses to show the game.

They ranged from the thousands who descended on the OVO Hydro in Glasgow for what was billed as the country’s biggest fan zone, to small community events across the country.

About 500 people watched the action on big screens at a fan zone at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom.

The doors had opened at 22:30 BST on Saturday under a beautiful orange sunset sky, as the fans were played in by a bagpiper.

Hours later daylight greeted those happy supporters, many kitted out in Saltires and Scotland tops, as they spilled back out onto the street.

Nineteen-year-old Alex Stewart, from Forfar, was among those who were celebrating.

“For me it’s the first time seeing Scotland at a World Cup and watching us win a game is unbelievable.

“We’re sitting top of the group. It opens the group up entirely.”

Looking ahead to the next two games in the group, he added: “You’ve got two big names in Brazil and Morocco… just go for it.”

Craig Stewart, 31, also from Forfar, was “ecstatic” about the result.

While he admitted the performance had been “shaky”, he said the result was what mattered at the end of the day.

Lefika Duncan Taukobong, 36, predicted a Scotland win – and is positive about the nation’s chances at the World Cup.

“Miracles happen – Scotland are going through to the knockouts,” he said.

Greens Sports Bar was one of the 50 premises in Dumfries and Galloway which took up the option of opening late for the Haiti game.

More than 200 fans watched the drama unfold in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Liam Logue, who runs the Dumfries pub with wife Cas, said the World Cup had been a welcome boost for business.

“It would be great to see us get through to the next round for the first time,” he said.

Shaun McGeachan was one of those who roared when the full-time whistle blew.

“It’s by far one of the biggest football moments for my generation,” he said.

“It was great to see the sea of navy shirts and hands holding pints in the air.

“We’ve got to keep on getting behind the team and hoping they can push on through.”

It was a first time watching Scotland at a World Cup for Ryan Kerr and his friends Matthew and David Smith.

“The whole week building up to it has been amazing,” said Ryan.

But he was a bit worried by what he saw from the other two teams in Scotland’s group earlier in the night.

“We’ll need to play well against Brazil and Morocco,” he said.

“A point against Morocco might take us through.”

Those watching the game in the fan zone on the other side of the Atlantic included Chris Goodman from Stirling.

He said he was feeling “euphoric” after watching the victory with his son Jack.

“It’s something I never thought I’d see again, so to be here with my son… I’m over the moon.”

David Grindlay from Glasgow was there with his friend Alistair Fleming.

“We’ve waited 28 years for this moment and it feels fantastic,” he said.

“This is my third World Cup, and this one is special. I’m over the moon.”

Amy Devine, 30, from Pollokshields in Glasgow, is staying with her friend Izzie Schmaltz, 27 who is from Boston but used to live in Glasgow.

Amy said: “I’m so emotional, I’ve cried about 10 times today.

“My husband is at the game and he’s sent me photos of his crying too.”

Izzie said she was celebrating wins for both her teams – Scotland and the US.

“Everything I touch turns to gold. I mean, we’ve basically won the World Cup now, right? We’re top of the group,” she said.

“It’s an amazing atmosphere, it’s like being back in Glasgow. Look around you, it’s like a Saturday night in Glasgow.”

Now fans are hoping that there’s more celebrations to come as they prepare for Scotland’s next match on Friday night against Morocco.

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