Football
Euro 2024: Germany expectations rise after Scotland rout in opener
“It was a perfect start for Germany,” said former Scotland striker Ally McCoist on ITV. “They have been excellent with some superb performances. You can feel something growing with Germany.”
Some of the pre-tournament concerns had been about Germany’s striking options – or lack thereof.
Would they go with Havertz, the false nine from Arsenal, or Fullkrug – the imposing old-school striker from Borussia Dortmund?
Ex-Germany midfielder Steffen Freund told BBC Sport in the build-up to the tournament: “Since Miroslav Klose we don’t have a world-class striker so that’s why maybe we’re not top in the world.”
But Freund added: “It’s good for Germany to have two strikers with a different style of football.”
And Germany looked good here with both.
Havertz was flanked by 21-year-old sensations Musiala and Wirtz – who both got on the scoresheet in the opening 19 minutes.
Germany are the first nation in European Championship history to have two players aged 21 or younger score in the same match.
Fullkrug came on for Havertz after the hour mark and thumped a fantastic effort into the top corner before being denied another goal by the video assistant referee for offside.
“There are some nice headaches that Julian Nagelsmann has in terms of Fullkrug coming on,” said Sutton.
“It’s a perfect evening for the German team. To get up and running in a tournament like this, their confidence will go through the roof. The German fans will start fancying the team, but you have to chuck into that equation just how bad Scotland were.”
Musiala really caught the eye and the Bayern Munich player, dazzling at his home ground, left the pitch to a standing ovation in the second half.
The 21-year-old, who represented England at youth level having spent much of his childhood in the country, had five successful dribbles. No other Germany player managed one.
“Ronaldinho is Musiala’s hero,” said ex-England striker Ian Wright on ITV. “You can see the resemblance with Kaka in him. There is a lot more to see with Musiala and Wirtz. Coming up against better teams we might even see more from them.”