EURO 2024: Hosts Germany Annihilate Scotland 5-1 In Tournament’s Curtain-Raiser

Hosts Germany demolished a 10-man Scotland 5-1 on Friday, scoring three goals in the first half to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign triumphantly. This victory set a record for the largest margin of victory in an opening game in the European Championship’s history.

The Germans, chasing their fourth European title and their first major trophy in a decade, found the net through Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and a penalty from Kai Havertz. Niclas Füllkrug and Emre Can added two more goals late in the second half.

Scotland were reduced to 10-men after defender Ryan Porteous was sent off just before halftime. The away side managed to get on the scoresheet in the 87th minute thanks to an own goal by Antonio Rüdiger.

The Tartan Army lost Porteous due to a stud challenge on Ilkay Gündogan that resulted in a penalty for the hosts and must swiftly regroup if they hope to advance past the group stage for the first time in a major international competition.

Die Manschaft, having lost their opening matches at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups as well as the 2021 Euros, dominated possession from the outset, while the Scots adopted a high defensive line.

This ambitious tactic backfired for the visitors, as it left too many gaps at the back, allowing the hosts to exploit these weaknesses quickly.

Toni Kroos delivered a flawless 30-meter cross to Joshua Kimmich, who timed his pass to Wirtz perfectly. Wirtz drilled the ball home in the 10th minute, becoming the youngest scorer for Germany in any Euros at 21 years old.

As Scotland were still regrouping, Germany struck again nine minutes later. Gündogan threaded another ball past the Scottish defense, this time finding Havertz on the left. Havertz then set up Musiala in the box, who fired it in before Havertz scored it from the spot to make it 3-0.

After the break, it was one-way traffic again. Germany added a fourth goal through substitute Füllkrug’s shot in the 69th minute, as Scotland coach Steve Clarke, the first man to lead the team to back-to-back Euros, looked on helplessly.

Scotland, without a single shot on or off target, managed to pull one back in the 87th minute when Rüdiger headed the ball into his own net. However, substitute Emre Can curled home a shot in stoppage time to seal Germany’s fifth goal.

The Scots will face the Swiss next on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Germany will play against Hungary on Wednesday before locking horns with Switzerland in their final Group A match.