The curtain rose on Euro 2024 in Munich last night, and it was a night of German dominance and Scottish heartbreak. Joachim Löw’s men put on a masterclass, thrashing a ten-man Scotland side 5-1 in a record-breaking opening match for the European Championship.
From the first whistle, Germany asserted their authority. Florian Wirtz, the young prodigy, etched his name into history by scoring the first goal of the tournament in just the 10th minute.
The Bayern Munich juggernaut, Jamal Musiala, continued the assault ten minutes later, leaving Scotland’s Angus Gunn with no chance.
Just before halftime, Scotland’s woes deepened. A reckless, two-footed challenge by Ryan Porteous resulted in a penalty and a well-deserved red card. Kai Havertz stepped up coolly, sending Gunn the wrong way to put Germany 3-0 up.
The second half was a display of German control. Scotland, a man down and facing a rampant German attack, were pinned back in their own half. Niclas Fullkrug added a fourth for the home side, before a late own goal by Antonio Rüdiger offered a consolation goal for Scotland.
Emre Can, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, put the final nail in the coffin with a goal in the dying moments. This 5-1 victory marks the biggest win in any European Championship opening match, a statement of intent from the host nation.
Germany’s Redemption Song
This win is a significant moment for Germany. After disappointing performances in recent tournaments, Löw’s men have served a strong reminder of their potential. The clinical finishing, the dominant midfield control, and the resolute defense paint a picture of a team hungry for redemption.
For Scotland, the task just got considerably tougher. They will need to regroup quickly and find a way to win their first major tournament match since 1996 if they want to progress beyond the group stage.
