Scotland thrashed by Germany in opening fixture of Euro 2024

Scotland have slumped to a horror start at Euro 2024 with a 5-1 thumping by Germany in the tournament’s opening match.

They had a big hill to climb from early on after an opener from Florian Wirtz in the 10th minute was followed by a second from Jamal Musiala.

Musiala, who had a great opening match, slammed the ball into the roof of the net to significantly dampen the spirits of the Tartan Army.

It went from bad to worse when Ryan Porteous was sent off for fouling Ilkay Gundogan in the box just before half-time – with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz converting the penalty.

Germany were equally dominant after the break and Niclas Fullkrug added another to make it 4-0.

There was a slither of consolation as an Antonio Rudiger own goal in the 87th minute gave Scotland’s fans a brief moment of celebration.

However, Emre Can struck in stoppage time to make it 5-1 – the worst opening match defeat ever in the Euros.

It was an error-strewn showing for Scotland, who will have to vastly improve in the next matches against Hungary and Switzerland.

Captain Andy Roberts called it “hugely disappointing” and admitted the team “didn’t really show up”.

He said they could be angry tomorrow but must “bounce back quickly” for Wednesday’s match.

“We have to dust ourselves down, we’ve got five days to sort ourselves out and go again against Switzerland,” said Robertson.

Sombre-looking manager Steve Clarke said the players were poor both with and without the ball.

But he added Scotland’s goal remained four points from the group stage and that “what we need to do is still in front of us”.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane savaged Scotland as being “out of their depth” and that “the difference in quality was chalk and cheese”.

“Robertson said Scotland weren’t aggressive enough – you have to be aggressive in a game of football,” said Keane on ITV.

“When you’re up against opposition who are much stronger than you, being aggressive is part of being a footballer.”

The Scots were suffocated from the start

A brutal reality check for Scotland.

A 4-1 thumping by Germany isn’t terminal for their hopes of making it into the Euro 2024 knockout phase.

Even just winning one of their remaining Group A games against Switzerland or Hungary could be enough to stay in Germany – but the quality of Scottish football was exposed by the hosts.

You could see in Munich why Scotland’s squad is valued at £175m and Germany’s would cost £700m to assemble, according to the player valuation trackers at Transfermarkt.

Maybe holding out for 10 minutes before conceding was the only surprise.

The Scots were suffocated from the start by a Germany side enjoying the benefits of home comforts in Munich.

The visiting defence just couldn’t cope before Florian Wirtz’s opener and goalkeeper Angus Gunn couldn’t stop the power of Jamal Musiala’s strike after 19 minutes.

There was one VAR penalty reprieve, but not another when Ryan Porteous was sent off for a lunging tackle. How did he think he could get away with that with VAR?

At least there was clarity in the stadium with decisions explained in details on screens for the first time at a major tournament.

That was one frustration for fans removed. But this was the most frustrating of nights for Scotland.

The penalty conceded by Porteous was converted by Kai Havertz leaving a 3-0 deficit at halftime.

The only comfort for Scotland was limiting the damage in the second half with Niclas Fullkrug scoring Germany’s only goal. And some consolation.

Scotland managed to score the first time in the opening game at a Euros thanks to Antonio Rudiger deflecting Scott McKenna’s header into his own goal. A good omen perhaps?

They’ll hope in the daunting mission for Scotland to qualify from a group stage for the first time at a tournament. Two games to find a way out.

Ally McCoist praised fantastic stakes by Germany’s Fulkrug and Musiala, and said Scotland needed “more belief” if they are to get anywhere.

The Rangers great said they’ve got to put more balls in the box and support their forwards.

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