Julian Nagelsmann’s side were too strong for ten-man Scotland in the opening game of EURO 2024.
Germany hit the ground running in the opening game of EURO 2024 as Julian Nagelsmann’s side overpowered ten-man Scotland in Munich.
Key moments
10′: First-time Wirtz shot finds bottom corner
19′: Musiala lashes home Germany’s second
44′: Porteous concedes penalty and shown straight red card
45’+1: Havertz converts subsequent spot kick
68′: Stunning Füllkrug strike makes it four
87′: Rüdiger own goal gives Scotland late consolation
90’+3: Can completes scoring in added time
Match in brief: Germany begin with a bang
Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen’s talisman in their march to a maiden Bundesliga title last season, tested Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn inside the opening 60 seconds, only to be ruled offside from Antonio Rüdiger’s pass. Wirtz was on the scoresheet less than ten minutes later, however, his first-time shot from Joshua Kimmich’s ball finding the bottom corner via the inside of the post.
Spurred on by their vociferous supporters, Germany continued to pin Scotland pack and doubled their advantage midway through the first half. An incisive passing move ended with Kai Havertz picking out Musiala, who fashioned space inside a crowded penalty area before lashing the ball into the roof of the net. Things went from bad to worse for Steve Clarke’s team shortly before the interval, when Ryan Porteous was dismissed for a foul on İlkay Gündoğan inside the area – and Havertz made no mistake from the resulting spot kick.
There was no let-up for Clarke’s charges after the break. Leroy Sané and Maximilian Mittelstädt both went close to adding to Germany’s lead, but substitute Niclas Füllkrug eventually made it 4-0 with a thumping strike after the ball fell kindly for the Dortmund striker on the edge of the box. Rüdiger inadvertently steered a header past Manuel Neuer to give Scotland a consolation, yet Emre Can put the icing on the cake for the hosts with a low finish in added time.
Vivo Player of the Match: Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Phil Röber, Germany reporter
Superlatives tend to be overused these days, but I’m not sure Germany could have asked for a better first half to start their tournament. Not granting Scotland a single dangerous moment or chance, this performance offered a perfect platform to build on. The tournament wasn’t won today but this was mission accomplished for the hosts, who gave their fans plenty to be excited about.
Alex O’Henley, Scotland reporter
A game that promised so much ended in a chastening defeat for Scotland, who are still looking for an opening-day victory at a European Championship finals. The match was over as a contest by half-time, with Germany three goals to the good and boasting a man advantage following Porteous’s red card. Clarke now has a major job to lift his side before they face Switzerland in Cologne.
Reaction
Germany reaction: To follow.
Scotland reaction: To follow.
Key stats
- Germany are the first side to have two players aged 21 or younger score for them in the same game at a European Championship finals.
- The three-time winners scored three goals in the first half of a EURO match for the first time.
- Aged 21 years and 42 days, Wirtz is the youngest player to find the net for Germany at the tournament.
- Neuer made his 35th appearance at a World Cup or European Championship, surpassing Philipp Lahm’s previous national record of 34.
- Andy Robertson captained Scotland for the 50th time, while Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie earned their 50th caps.
- Porteous is the first player to be sent off on his EURO debut since Austria’s Aleksandar Dragović was dismissed against Hungary in 2016.
Line-ups
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt; Andrich (Gross 46), Kroos (Can 80); Musiala (Müller 74), Gündoğan, Wirtz (Sané 63); Havertz (Füllkrug 63)
Scotland: Gunn; Hendry, Porteous, Tierney (McKenna 78); Ralston, McGregor (Gilmour 67), McTominay, Robertson; McGinn (McLean 67), Adams (Hanley 46), Christie (Shankland 82)