Germany run riot against Scotland to lift curtain on Euro 2024

It is said that the first matches of a tournament are key to boosting a team's morale for the rest of the games, something Germany took to heart in their Euro 2024 opener against Scotland. The tournament hosts, with goals from Wirtz, Musiala and Havertz, crushed the Scots to claim all three points and take top spot in Group A.

Julian Nagelsmann's side came out all guns blazing as Steve Clarke's side set up a low block system to deal with the Germans' possession. However, the home side managed to break down the visitors' defence with an early goal from Wirtz, who fired home from the edge of the box after being teed up by Joshua Kimmich. 

Germany's high pressing paid off and was evident in Scotland's constant ball losses, which turned into chances that the Germans were quick to convert. Just minutes after Wirtz had broken the deadlock, Gundogan found Havertz inside the box through a defence-splitting pass and the Arsenal striker fed Musiala, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. 

But the worst was yet to come for Clarke's side, who were reduced to 10 men after a terrifying tackle by Porteous on Gundogan that was initially not flagged by Turpin, but resulted in a straight red card and a penalty for the home side following a VAR review. Havertz showed no mercy from 12 yards and sent Angus Gunn the wrong way to add a third before the break. 

Although the Scots somehow managed to contain Nagelsmann's side's second-half attacks even with a man down, Fullkrug replaced Havertz to add a fourth just minutes after coming on. The Borussia Dortmund striker eventually added a fifth but it was disallowed for offside. The Scots managed to make up the scoreline before injury time when McKenna's header at the long post was deflected into his own net by Rudiger.

However, Emre Can put the icing on the cake by adding a fifth after he beat Gunn with a classy finish from the D. at the far post as Germany recorded the biggest opening match win in European Championship history.

 

June 14, 2024