Germany kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign in spectacular fashion, overpowering Scotland with a dominant 5-1 victory at the Allianz Arena on Friday night.
After recent disappointments in major tournaments, Die Mannschaft displayed their intent from the outset, controlling the game from start to finish.
The 1996 champions set the tone early with Florian Wirtz opening the scoring in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a precise pass from Joshua Kimmich.
Germany’s dominance continued as Jamal Musiala doubled the lead in the 19th minute, delivering a thunderous strike from inside the box.
Scotland’s woes were compounded when a reckless challenge by Ryan Porteous on Ilkay Gundogan earned him a red card, leaving the Tartan Army with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Kai Havertz further extended Germany’s lead just before halftime, converting the resulting penalty and ensuring a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Germany maintained their momentum. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug added a fourth goal, showcasing the depth of the German squad. Emre Can then sealed the victory with a well-placed shot, rounding off Germany’s scoring.
Scotland managed to find a consolation, courtesy of an own goal by Antonio Rüdiger, but it did little to dampen the German celebrations.
This comprehensive win is significant for Germany as it marks their first victory by 3+ clear goals since June 2022. Since the World Cup, only three of their wins had been by a two-goal margin, with only one such victory occurring in 2024.
Germany’s performance not only boosts their confidence but also sends a strong message to their rivals as they aim to reclaim European glory on home soil.
The team’s next challenge will be closely watched, with fans eager to see if they can maintain this high level of performance throughout the tournament.
