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Germany 5-1 Scotland | Match Report
Blogs

Germany 5-1 Scotland | Match Report

14/06/24 21:29

Germany in Kroos control as they hit five past ten man Scotland in Munich

Germany defeated Scotland 5-1 to go top of Group A in the opening game of the 2024 European Championships. It’s the biggest win on opening night in Euros history, as Germany layed down a marker to show they mean business on home soil this summer.

The hosts kicked off the tournament against Scotland in Munich, not wasting any time after Florian Wirtz opened the scoring from outside the box with just ten minutes gone.

Die Mannschaft dominated the opening 45, adding a second goal just nine minutes later. Ilkay Gundogan playing a defence splitting pass through to Kai Havertz, who dragged it across the box for Jamal Musiala to fire into the roof of the net, doubling the Germans early lead.

Scotland never really looked comfortable in the game. With things going from bad to worse for The Tartan Army in the first 45, after Germany were awarded a penalty for Ryan Porteous' dangerous challenge on Gundogan in the 44th minute.

The Scot would be given his marching orders after a quick VAR check, giving Scotland an entire half to play with ten men. Despite many thinking it would be Toni Kroos or Gundogan on penalties, it was Arsenal ace Kai Havertz who stepped up to the spot, coolly sending Angus Gunn the wrong way as Germany increased the deficit to three goals.

Striker Che Adams was sacrificed for Norwich centre-back Grant Hanley at half time, ensuring Scotland kept their back three shape. Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross also entered the game, coming on for Robert Andrich, who was on a yellow card. It would be a long second half for Scotland as they attempted to not just stay in the game, but prevent the score from becoming humiliating.

Wirtz should have added a fourth just before the 60th minute, after yet more Musiala magic down the left hand side left him free in the box. However the Bayer leverkusen forward failed to convert this time, firing it over the bar from close range.

German manager Julian Nagelsmann didn’t hold back despite the strong lead, bringing on Leroy Sane and Niclas Fullkrug for goalscorers Havertz and Wirtz in the 63rd minute. Fullkrug showed his class minutes later, rifling in a strike into the top left hand corner to add a fourth in what was the best goal of the evening. Once again created by the ridiculous drive of you guessed it, Musiala.

Veteran Thomas Muller replaced the 21-year-old with fifteen minutes to go, as Musiala left the field to a standing ovation. It was a special performance from the Bayern Munich star this evening, his technical prowess and dribbling terrorised Scotland for seventy four minutes. He was our Football Park player of the match by far.

Germany would continue to dominate possession as the game entered the closing stages, Fullkrug had the ball in the net for his second but was denied by a VAR offside. Despite the hosts being excellent, it must be said Scotland were very poor on the night.

Despite the red card they never looked comfortable in the game, and you can expect manager Steve Clarke to tinker with his side. A late own goal by Antonio Rudiger gave the Scottish fans something to cheer about, despite just being a consolation they are at least on the board for the tournament.

Emre Can added a fifth in the final minute of play, despite the Dortmund midfielder only being in the squad for 48 hours, he showed no signs of fatigue as he struck a wonderful outside the box effort into the bottom right hand corner.

It’s Switzerland next for Scotland as they try and get their Euro campaign up and running. Many ruled them out for tonight's game and despite a poor performance, it must be said they were playing the third favourites and hosts this evening. It’s simply the manner of defeat and scoreline that may worry fans.

Germany will look to continue as they started this evening, they face Hungary in Stuttgart next as they look to go undefeated in group stage action just as many predicted they would. The front four of Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz and Havertz combined extremely well, with Kroos running the show from midfield. Fullkrug showed his danger off the bench, and Nagelsmann will be pleased after a strong result from the opening game.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Patrick McGahren

Writer

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