Scotland vs. Germany
Friday, June 14, at 20:00 BST
Munich Football Arena
Matchday 1 of Group A for UEFA EURO 2024
Scotland's hopes are undoubtedly high following an incredible qualifying campaign that saw them defeat Georgia, Norway, and Spain, the three-time winners. Aston Villa captain John McGinn and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored seven goals in eight qualifying appearances, are two examples of the players that Steve Clarke has developed into a well-oiled machine.
Germany will try to conjure back the memories of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when Jürgen Klinsmann's hosts defied the odds to reach the semi-finals, as they travel in pursuit of a record-breaking fourth EURO victory, following group stage exits in two of the last three major events. After taking over as coach from Hansi Flick last year, Julian Nagelsmann did not have the best of starts. However, victories in March against France and the Netherlands suggest that the 36-year-old former Bayern manager will have a better future. A win in Munich would undoubtedly increase expectations for a strong tournament run.
Scotland starting XI
Gunn
Ralston
Hendry
Porteous
Tierney
Robertson
Christie
McGregor
McTominay
McGinn
Adams
Germany starting XI
Neur
Mittelstadt
Tah
Rudiger
Kimmich
Kroos
Andrich
Wirtz
Guntogan
Musiala
Havertz
From the whistle, Germany had eyes for goal; Wirtz, on the left, placed pressure on Gunn in less than a minute. A quick start for the hosts. Only a couple of minutes later Kieran Tierney had to work hard to avert a German attack down the right hand side. The hosts were not going to stand by and give Scotland any time on the ball.
On the stroke of ten minutes, Florian Wirtz was free in the middle of the pitch, just outside the 18-yard box. A solid pass came in from the right, finding the striker's feet, and with one touch, he fired it into the bottom left corner. Gunn got a hand on it, but the strike was too powerful to keep out.
Germany 1 Scotland 0
McTominay was battling in the midfield, clipping at the heels of the German attack. But the hosts were making very little mistakes for Scotland to take advantage of.
The second goal of the game came on the 18 minute mark- The German captain Gundogan turned the Scottish midfield inside out, picking out Havertz on the left who split Scotland’s back five and found the feet of Musiala who sent the ball flying in to the back of the net.
Germany 2 Scotland 0
Scotland’s evening was about to take another turn when the German striker Musiala went down inside the box. The referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot. However, Scotland were saved by VAR who deemed the infringement to be outside the box. A free kick was given. Havertz got the shot away, however Gunn got down and made a clean save.
It wasn’t long until VAR was needed again. Minutes before half time Musiala made an outstanding run, passed the ball out wide for his German counterpart to knock it in to the six-yard box. Gunn made an excellent save from Gündoğan's header, and Ryan Porteous intercepted to clear the ball after. However, Germany protested Porteous’ challenge and Turpin was called to check the replay. Penalty Germany and a red card for Ryan Porteous. Kai Havertz stepped up and cooly slotted it home to seal the third.
Germany 3 Scotland 0
Half time thoughts: Germany have shown why they are regarded as one of the top teams in Europe. Their movement on and off the ball has been brilliant. Scotland have really struggled to hold their shape as the Germans knock one- and two-touch passes around them. It is going to be a challenging second half for the Scots with ten men.
Both teams made a single change at half time; Hanley on, Adams off for Scotland.
Gross on, Andrich off for Germany.
The German players are once more incredibly at ease on the ball in the second half. With a comfortable 3-0 lead, they let off the accelerator. Ten man Scotland have still been unable to find their feet up until this point.
Not long after the hour mark, Germany brought on another two replacements, Sane and Fullkrug. Within five minutes, the number 9 found space on the edge of the 18-yard box. Swinging his hips and striking the ball with his right foot, he sent the ball spinning in to the top right corner.
Germany 4 Scotland 0
With 15 minutes to go, Fullkrug gets in behind the Scotland defence and puts the ball in the back of the net. However VAR quickly review the goal- offside.
The fatigue from the Scotland side was clear. With all ten men behind the ball, it looked as though they were going to sit and defend until the final whistle. Germany on the other hand never stopped pressing and moving the ball, always looking for an opportunity to make Scotland work harder.
Minutes from the final whistle, Can concedes a free-kick for a foul on McLean. Midway inside Germany's half, Robertson was looking to whip it in on the left. Robertson bounces his delivery across the penalty area and across the German defence. Rüdiger deflects the substitute's angled header over Neuer and it drops into the far post.
Germany 4 Scotland 1
With a goal on the board and two minutes left to play, Scotland were hoping to take the three goal defeat. However, Germany had other ideas. On the 93rd minute the ball fell to Can who whipped it in to the bottom corner. Gunn gets a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
Full time: Germany 5 Scotland 1
Scotland will now face Switzerland on Wednesday 19th June at 20:00
Germany will face Hungary on the same evening at the earlier time of 17:00
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