Germany, the host nation, launches Euro 2024 by defeating a 10-man Scotland 2-1
MUNICH (AP) — It’s impossible to imagine a better beginning to the European Championship for host Germany.
In Friday’s Euro 2024 opener against 10-man Scotland, goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala in an impressive first half put Germany on the road to a confidence-boosting 5-1 victory.
Even though Germany didn’t really have to work hard against a weak Scotland at Allianz Arena, the outcome was perfect for the tournament’s opening and increased national enthusiasm.
Captain of Germany, İlkay Gündoğan, said to German network ZDF, “Yes, that’s exactly the way we wanted to start and, to be honest, we needed a start just like that.
The Germans’ pre-tournament title aspirations were low following their elimination from the previous three major tournaments. However, they began with the greatest win in Euros history.
They controlled the first half, which ended for Scotland in the worst way imaginable when Kai Havertz scored the ensuing penalty kick after defender Ryan Porteous was sent off. Following the interval, Scotland’s suffering was increased by substitutes Niclas Füllkrug and Emre Can.
“The opening twenty minutes were excellent. Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of Germany, commented, “The first goals were very good.” “The fact that so many players had strong early performances is really valuable.”Even if it was just the beginning, it was a very positive one, and we can build from here. We are overjoyed.
Late in the game, Scotland, which had not had a chance on goal throughout, gave its boisterous supporters something to cheer about when Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger’s ball was shoved into the net for an own goal.
If Steve Clarke’s team is to advance from Group A and make it to the knockout stage for the first time, it will need to do better against Hungary and Switzerland.
“A challenging evening. We performed below our expectations. “The German team was outstanding,” Clarke remarked.
We believe that we have failed ourselves. We are superior to that. I hope we can demonstrate that in the upcoming two games.
The Tartan Army of supporters from Scotland got the game underway with great gusto, but when Wirtz scored in the tenth, they were quickly silenced.
Joshua Kimmich was found by Toni Kroos with a wonderful crossfield pass, and he rolled it across for Wirtz to score.
At 21, Wirtz became the youngest goal scorer for Germany during the Euros. Nine minutes later, Musiala, who was 67 days older than Wirtz, doubled Germany’s total after combining effectively with Havertz.
Just before the break, Gündoğan’s header was only parried by Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, but just as the captain looked to put home the rebound, Porteous’s forceful charge knocked him down.
Havertz scored Germany’s penalty after referee Clément Turpin gave Porteous a straight red card.
In the second half, Scotland held strong until Füllkrug misplayed an attempted exchange between Musiala and Gündoğan. Just five minutes had passed when the replacement struck a thunderbolt into the upper right corner.
Rüdiger allowed Kieran McKenna’s header from a free kick to find the net, providing a late consolation goal for Scotland.
Even however, Can’s late substitution for the injured Aleksandar Pavlovic meant that Scotland gave up five goals for the first time in twelve years when stoppage time saw Can curl in.
“A wonderful sensation and an absurd tale… Can said to ZDF, “I was on vacation two days ago. After receiving the call on Wednesday, I met with the team that evening, trained once yesterday, entered the game today (as a substitute), and scored a goal. I appreciate that Julian (Nagelsmann) and the entire coaching team trusted me.
Before the game, the late great Franz Beckenbauer of German soccer was honoured in front of a packed house that included Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and First Minister of Scotland John Swinney.
Germany will next watch Scotland vs Switzerland on Wednesday, with Hungary in the spotlight.
