Euro 2024
Euro 2024: Germany Humbles Scotland In 6 Goals Thriller
Amid anxiety on Friday night, Germany thrashed Scotland, a 10-man team, by a score of 5-1 at the start of the Euro 2024 tournament in Munich, signalling the beginning of a quest they aim to achieve a record fourth continental championship.
Sportxparte reports that Florian Wirtz opened the score sheet in 10 minutes, and Jamal Musiala quickly doubled Germany’s lead with a decisive play.
The highly anticipated evening for Scotland it quickly turned sour when Ryan Porteous was ejected for a tackle on Ilkay Gundogan, with Kai Havertz scoring the resulting penalty.
Niclas Fuellkrug scored a fourth goal in the second half after replacing another player, and Antonio Ruediger’s own goal couldn’t mar the otherwise flawless start for Germany.
There was even a moment for Emre Can to score a sixth goal with the game’s final shot.
Scotland was taken aback by such a poor start, but they must quickly recover as they face Switzerland and Hungary in Group A.
After three consecutive disappointments at major tournaments, including two exits in the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, this performance was an explicit declaration of intent from a seasoned German team.
It marks Germany’s first men’s major tournament as hosts since the 2006 World Cup, and they are eager to replicate the success that reignited the national team’s spirit after a period of international stagnation.
Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, emphasized the determination of his players to make up for recent disappointments, noting a positive change in attitude and growing optimism since he took over in September.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s coach, Steve Clarke, encouraged his team to approach the tournament without fear as they participated in their second consecutive Euros after a long absence from international competitions.
Right from the start, Germany dominated the match against Scotland, who had only managed one victory in their last nine games, a narrow 2-0 win against Gibraltar.
Despite Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn’s quick reflexes to deny an offside Wirtz, Germany quickly seized control of the game.
Toni Kroos, who came out of retirement to play for Germany, delivered a precise pass to Joshua Kimmich, setting up Wirtz to score from the edge of the box, with Gunn unable to prevent the ball from hitting the post and going in.
Kroos, who will retire after the tournament, and Gundogan formed a formidable midfield duo for Germany, showcasing their experience and maturity on the field.
Gundogan’s well-placed pass found Havertz, who then set up Musiala to score a brilliant goal for Germany, demonstrating his skill and composure as he saw the back of the net.
Germany initially received a penalty when Musiala fell to the ground after being caught between Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney. However, referee Clement Turpin determined that the foul occurred outside the area after consulting the touchline monitor.
This only delayed Germany’s third goal, which eventually came from the penalty spot after another VAR review. The review resulted in Porteous being sent off for a rough challenge on Gundogan, who was brought down while attempting to convert the rebound from his header.
Havertz calmly deceived Gunn and extinguished any remaining hope from Scotland’s once lively and sizable group of travelling supporters.
In the second half, Scotland tried to minimize the damage, but they couldn’t prevent Fuellkrug from unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner just minutes after he came on as a substitute for Havertz.
Fuellkrug put the ball in the net a second time, but fortunately for Scotland, it was ruled offside.
The only joyous moment for Scotland came three minutes before the end of the match when Ruediger unintentionally deflected Scott McKenna’s header into the goal past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
However, there was still more punishment as substitute Can beautifully curled the ball into the net from 20 yards out at the end of the game, completing a magnificent night for the Germans.
