MUNICH (AP) 鈥 Host Germany could hardly have wished for a better start to the European Championship.
Goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala in an imperious first half set Germany on the way to a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over 10-man Scotland in the Euro 2024 curtainraiser on Friday.
While Germany didn鈥檛 really have to break sweat against a sub-par Scotland at Allianz Arena, it was the ideal result to launch its tournament and in the country.
鈥淵es, that鈥檚 exactly the way we wanted to start and, to be honest, we needed a start just like that,鈥 Germany captain 陌lkay G眉ndo臒an told German broadcaster ZDF. 鈥淚 had a good feeling before the game already, to be honest, and it came true, thank God.
鈥淏ut exactly this atmosphere, the euphoria in the stadium now with our own fans, that鈥檚 exactly what we need in order to go far.鈥
of the Germans were underwhelming after they crashed out of their last three major tournaments. But they've opened with their biggest victory in Euros history.
They dominated the first half, which ended in the worst possible way for Scotland when defender Ryan Porteous was sent off and Kai Havertz converted the resulting penalty kick. Substitutes Niclas F眉llkrug and Emre Can piled on to Scotland's misery after the break.
鈥淭he first 20 minutes were very impressive. The first goals were very good," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. "It鈥檚 very valuable that many players performed well early on.
鈥淚t was only the first step but a very good one and we can build on this one. We鈥檙e very happy.鈥
Scotland, which hadn't had a shot on goal all match, managed to give its something to celebrate late on when the ball was bundled into the back of the net off Germany defender Antonio R眉diger for an own goal.
Steve Clarke鈥檚 side will have to do better against Hungary and Switzerland if it is to get out of Group A and reach the knockout stage for the first time.
鈥淒ifficult night. We didn鈥檛 play to our standard. The German team were excellent,鈥 Clarke said.
鈥淲e feel as though we鈥檝e let ourselves down. We鈥檙e better than that. Hopefully we can show that the next two games.鈥
Scotland鈥檚 Tartan Army of supporters started the match in fine voice but they were swiftly quietened when Wirtz scored in the 10th.
Toni Kroos picked out Joshua Kimmich with a brilliant crossfield lob and he rolled it across for Wirtz to fire in.
Wirtz became Germany鈥檚 youngest Euros goal-scorer at 21. Musiala, 67 days older than Wirtz, doubled Germany鈥檚 tally nine minutes later after combining well with Havertz.
Right on halftime, Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn only parried a header from G眉ndo臒an, but just when the captain appeared set to tuck home the rebound he was upended by a thunderous challenge from Porteous.
Referee Cl茅ment Turpin showed Porteous a straight red card and awarded Germany a penalty, which Havertz converted.
Scotland managed to hold out in the second half until an attempted exchange between Musiala and G眉ndo臒an fell kindly for F眉llkrug. The substitute, who came on only five minutes earlier, unleashed a thunderbolt into the top right corner.
Scotland's late consolation came when Kieran McKenna鈥檚 header from a free kick went in off R眉diger.
Still, Scotland conceded five goals for the first time in 12 years when Can, who was brought into the squad only two days ago as for the ill Aleksandar Pavlovic, curled in in stoppage time.
鈥淎 great feeling and a crazy story ... I was on vacation two days ago鈥 Can told ZDF. 鈥淭hen the call came on Wednesday, and on Wednesday evening I met up with the team, trained once yesterday, came in today (off the bench), scored a goal. I鈥檓 thankful to Julian (Nagelsmann) and the whole coaching staff that they put their trust in me.鈥
Late German soccer great was honored before , and the capacity crowd included German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Scotland First Minister John Swinney, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb谩n.
Hungary is next in Germany's sights on Wednesday, when Scotland plays Switzerland.
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