FIFA World Cup: Why Haiti and Scotland were immune to world football’s ills.

Every Scotland fan was disappointed – but not expected – by a relatively stress-free return to the big stage, a comfortable 2-0 or 3-0 was not an assault on the senses.

What they got was a nerve-wracking night, a 90-minute rollercoaster ride that brought on a migraine at night.

They survived. This is the main thing. There are three points on the board. Illusion removed. They can be better, and they should be.

McGinn says they have more gear to go up and he’s right.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn spoke afterwards and looked stunned. He tried to emphasize the positive but it was war. “Looking back, we’re not happy, but we won one game at the World Cup, so…”

Those conflicting feelings summed it up. Three points, but… in the first World Cup win in almost three decades, but…

Billy Gilmore’s composure was gone. Also, McTominay’s brilliance and McGinn’s authority. There wasn’t much involvement either, with McTominay hitting the post and deflecting off McGinn’s goal. Scotland’s best player was Ben Gannon-Dock, who was two handfuls.

Later Sunday, these players will return to camp in Charlotte, exhausted. But so do winners. A lot needs to be improved before they face Morocco in Boston in a week’s time.

The victory would have sparked a huge celebration among the fans, but those celebrations were more of relief than joy. “Everybody told us it was a must-win game and we won,” Clark said. That broke his heart.

Tiresome, tiring, oppressive, but three points and hope. The best part was the children hanging from the windows of the school bus, the sheer joy, the unadulterated joy, the great sound of being here.

Many of them will be back for more games against Morocco. Another night of stress and anxiety is guaranteed, but there is nowhere else on earth these people would rather be.