The highly anticipated first match of Euro 2024 kicked off with a bang as the host, Germany thrashed Scotland 5-1 in a one-sided encounter.

The Scots were left reeling as the Germans showcased their attacking prowess, leaving their defence in tatters.

From the onset, Germany dominated possession, with their midfield maestros, Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala, dictating the pace of the game.

The Scots struggled to gain a foothold, and their woes were compounded when German attacking midfielder, Florian Wirtz, opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Scotland’s defence was breached again in just 9 minutes later, as Jamal Musiala expertly finished a well-crafted move to make it two.

Just before the half time, the Scots were booked in the box 18 which Kai Havertz converted to a goal.  Therefore, the  Germans went into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead, leaving Scotland with a mountain to climb.

The second half was more of the same, as Germany’s attack continued to wreak havoc on Scotland’s defence.

Füllkrug scored a goal in the 68th minute to make it 4 and Scotland’s sole consolation came in the form of an own goal from Rudiger but it was too little and too late as Emre Can added a goal to seal a resounding 5-1 victory for the Germans. 

In conclusion, the defeat marks a dismal start to Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign, while Germany’s impressive win sets them up nicely for their upcoming fixtures.  

The Scots will need to regroup and reassess their strategy if they hope to salvage their tournament hopes. For Germany, the victory is a statement of intent, and they will look to build on this momentum as they progress through the competition.

Match Statistics:

– Germany: 5 goals, 20 shots, 73% possession

– Scotland: 1 goal, 1 shot, 27% possession

Next up

Germany faces Hungary, while Scotland takes on Scotland in a highly anticipated encounter. Will Germany continue their winning ways, or will Hungary provide a stiffer test? Can Scotland bounce back with three points? The Euro 2024 journey continues!