Germany crush Scotland 5-1 in Euro 2024 opener

Germany scored three first-half goals to record a dominant 5-1 win over ten-man Scotland in the opening match of the Euro 2024 at the Allianz Arena on Friday night.

Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz (penalty) put the tournament hosts ahead going into the break before Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can scored in the second to start the tournament with a flurry of goals.

Antonio Rudiger’s own goal was scant consolation for the Tartan Army as Ryan Porteous was sent off for a dangerous tackle late in the first half.

Wirtz put the Germans ahead on ten minutes with a first-time shot from inside the area before Musiala doubled the lead nine minutes later, exploiting space on the edge of the area to hit a rocket shot that nestled into the roof of the net.

Porteous’ poor challenge earned Die Mannschaaft a penalty kick that was expertly dispatched by Havertz.

Following the interval, Fullkrug made it four-nil with another rocket shot into the top corner from 18 yards out before Can slotted into the bottom corner from the edge of the box minutes after Rudiger’s inadvertent own goal to restore Germany’s four-goal advantage amid continued jubilation among thrilled fans.

The victory is Germany’s third consecutive win over Scotland at major competitions. The three-time Euro champions will face Hungary next. Scotland will however seek redemption in their next match against Switzerland.