BTN News: Germany, who was host in the European Championship, started Euro 2024 with a 5-1 rout of Scotland. First-half goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala provided the perfect base as Germany dominated for long periods at Allianz Arena. That victory not only lured some of the pomp back into the team, but it also brought some much needed energy from the stands, which will be crucial if Germany are to find success in 2020.
A Perfect Start for Germany
Germany captain İlkay Gündoğan was pleased with the performance of his side. Speaking to ZDF, he said: That is exactly how we wanted to start and needed to start. We need to be fearless of the unknown, and the electricity in the stadium with our fans is what we need to go far. Germany had not shown the strongest form in the lead up to the tournament, so pre-tournament expectations were… well low. Nevertheless, it was their record win in Euro history, and a good way to start their campaign.
Their head coach proved right in the second quarter when his team scored 16 points to the Shox 0.
Germany looked at their best in the opening 20 minutes as Wirtz opened the scoring in the 10th minute to become the youngest German to ever score in the Euros at the age of 21. The intelligence of Germany was representatively illustrated with Joshua Kimmich’s crossfield lob, which Toni Kroos took down before assisting Wirtz. He doubled his tally after nine later by combining well with Havertz for his second goal of the evening. Scotland’s problems grew when defender Ryan Porteous was sent off just before the interval after fouling Gündoğan for a penalty, which Havertz converted.
Scotland and Germany Just Keeping it Up
Despite that support, Scotland were less of a force in the match. It spoke to brief stretches where the Americans struggled to get shots on goal, as they did against a regular power in Germany Scotland were put to the sword after the break with late goals from substitutes Niclas Füllkrug and Emre Can. The left-winger then conjured up a strike from nothing before debutant Can fired home in stoppage time— only drafted in as a last-gasp replacement into the squad two days earlier— underlining just how strong and well prepared Germany are.
Spare a thought for Scotland and what comes next
Scotland did pull one back at the death though, Kieran McKenna’s header from a corner taking a huge deflection off Antonio Rüdiger on its way into the net. But coach Steve Clarke admitted the team had not been up to the standard required in their matches and said better levels would be needed as they look to progress from Group A with games against Hungary and Switzerland to come.
Looking Ahead
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann hailed an early display, while other players showed just how well they can play. It was just the start but a great one, and we can work from here. We’re very happy,” he said. They will next take on Hungary, with Scotland turning attention to their clash with Switzerland.
In Remembrance & Matters Of Interest
With a live crowd of 50,000 in attendance to watch the match, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made the event a true spectacle, where the match paid respect to Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German soccer player.
