Host Germany trounced Scotland 5-1 on Friday in Munich to open the Euro 2024 soccer tournament.
The Germans took the lead inside 10 minutes with a goal from Florian Wirtz, followed up 10 minutes later by one from fellow 21-year-old phenom Jamal Musiala. Germany added a third just before the halftime whistle with a Kai Havertz penalty, following an incident that saw Scotland’s Ryan Porteous receive a red card.
Niclas Füllkrug scored in the 68th minute to make it 4-0, but an unfortunate deflection off defender Antonio Rudiger went in for an own goal in the 87th minute, ending Germany’s bid for a clean sheet.Substitution Emre Can scored in stoppage time to restore Germany’s four-goal cushion.
"We kept at it, hungry and greedy, it was a fully deserved win against a team who had a player less," Füllkrug told German broadcaster ZDF after the game.
Scotland didn’t manage a shot on target but the own goal and furious 10-man defending could be big when it comes to tiebreakers in the group stage.
"Germany were outstanding and unfortunately we couldn't match them," Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. "They ran away from us very quickly, didn't give ourselves a foothold in the game. The end result was a disappointing one but what we need to do is still in front of us."
Here's how Friday's match unfolded:
Who does Germany play next in Euro 2024?
Germany faces Hungary on Wednesday, June 19 in the second game of the group stage. The Germans round out group play against Switzerland on June 23.
FINAL: Germany 5, Scotland 1
Antonio Rudiger's own goal got Scotland on the scoreboard in the 87th minute, cutting the lead to 4-1, but Emre Can scored for Germany in stoppage time to end the match 5-1.
The rout was a perfect start to the tournament for the host nation, looking to win the European championship for the first time since 1996.
Goal! Niclas Füllkrug makes it 4-0 Germany
Niclas Füllkrug blasted in a goal in the 68th minute against Scotland, further extending Germany's lead after the team was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Second half begins: Germany 3, Scotland 0
Down to 10 men and not wanting to already get buried in goal differential, Scotland made a defensive change at halftime bringing on Grant Hanley for attacker Ché Adams.
Scotland hasn't managed a shot in the first 50 minutes.
Halftime: Germany 3, Scotland 0
Germany got goals in the first 19 minutes from 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, absolutely dominating the first half in Munich.
In the 46th minute, Kai Havertz converted a penalty kick that was awarded by a VAR check – an incident that earned Scotland’s Ryan Porteous a red card – to make it 3-0.
Down to 10 men, the second half could get ugly for Scotland.
Goal! Jamal Musiala makes it 2-0 Germany
In the 19th minute, 21-year-old Jamal Musiala blasted home a goal from about 12 yards out, extending host Germany's lead to 2-0 early in the opener against Scotland.
Goal! Florian Wirtz puts Germany up 1-0
Florian Wirtz scored the first goal of Euro 2024, a low shot from the top of the penalty area that Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn got a hand on – but was unable to keep out.
Just 21 years old, Wirtz was named the Bundesliga's player of the season after leading Bayern Leverkusen to its first-ever league title.
Euro 2024 is underway!
Germany and Scotland have kicked off in Munich, officially opening the 2024 European championships.
Germany looked to have a big chance less than a minute into the game with Florian Wirtz in on goal, requiring a big save from Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn –but the flag was up for offside.
Franz Beckenbauer honored in Euro 2024 opening ceremony
UEFA paid tribute to Germany's late World Cup-winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer during the Euro 2024 opening ceremony on Friday, with fans applauding as videos of one of Germany's greatest players were shown in the Munich stadium.
Beckenbauer, who died in January aged 78, captained West Germany to European Championship victory in 1972 and a World Cup success in 1974 before winning the World Cup as national team manager in 1990.
"Der Kaiser", as he was nicknamed for his imperious playing style and command of the game, was also a stalwart of the Bayern Munich team who won the European Cup three times in a row from 1974-76.
– Reuters
Germany vs. Scotland lineups
Germany: Manuel Neuer, Antonio Ruediger, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz, Toni Kroos, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Maximilian Mittelstaedt, Ilkay Gundogan (C), Robert Andrich
Scotland: Angus Gunn, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson (C), Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Che Adams, Ryan Christie, Jack Hendry, Ryan Porteous
Scotland fans taking over Munich
Germany fans descended on Munich's medieval Marienplatz in the thousands to party with Scotland supporters and heading to a giant fan zone hours before the opening match ofEuro2024.
Munich authorities later said the fan zone, which has a capacity of 25,000, was full and closed to new arrivals, as was Marienplatz as the hosts prepared to face Scotland in Group A.
Scottish fans clad in kilts have dominatedcentral Munichfor the last few days, playing bagpipes, chanting and endearing themselves to the locals.Hours before kick-offGermany fans emerged to join the excitement, saying they were proud to host the tournament and ready to get behind their team.
"We've had a really great time so far. The Germans have been very friendly," said Duncan Kellock, 70, from Alva near Stirling in Scotland.
"I don't think you can find a better host country," said Robert Holland, a 52-year-old solicitor from Edinburgh.
– Reuters
Police temporarily close off Berlin fan zone due to 'suspect device'
Berlin police temporarily closed off an area near the city's parliament building, one of the sites where fans are expected to gather to watch the opening Euro 2024 match between Germany and Scotland on Friday evening.
"A suspicious object was found in the entrance area to the #FanZone on Scheidemannstrasse. This area is currently not accessible to fans. Our colleagues are checking the object," Berlin police posted on social media site X.
"I would like to thank the Berlin police for their diligent action. It's a good thing that authorities are being especially careful - rather one time to many than one time too little," Nancy Faeser, Germany's federal interior minister, told reporters.
German media reported that the viewing area had re-opened.
Germany coach praises 'classic Scottish mentality'
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann saidScotlandare a dangerous team who will aim to take advantage of the pressure the hosts are under when they meet in Friday's Euro 2024 opener, but he sees self belief in his players and hunger for success.
"Scotlandisn't a team full of world stars, but that makes them dangerous, because they are very agile players who give everything, with classic Scottish mentality," he told a press conference on Thursday.
German feels the pressure ahead of the tournament's opening game, Nagelsmann said, and the team is fully fit and prepared.
"When I look in my players' eyes ... I see a lot of belief and a lot of confidence, which is what I want ... we have the home advantage, we want to win."
– Reuters
Germany squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstadt (both Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs, David Raum (both RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Frankfurt), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich, Florian Wirtz (both Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane (both Bayern Munich), Emre Can (Dortmund)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
Scotland Euro 2024 roster
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Kenny McLean (Norwich), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Euro 2024 groups
- Group A: Germany, Hungary, Scotland, Switzerland
- Group B: Albania, Croatia, Italy, Spain
- Group C: Denmark, England, Serbia, Slovenia
- Group D: Austria, France, Netherlands, Poland
- Group E: Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine
- Group F: Czech Republic, Georgia, Portugal, Turkey
Euro 2024 final date
The final of the 2024 European championship is scheduled for July 14 at the Olympiastadionin Berlin.
Euro cup winners list
Here's a list of past European championship winners:
- 2020 (played in 2021): Italy
- 2016: Portugal
- 2012: Spain
- 2008: Spain
- 2004: Greece
- 2000: France
- 1996: Germany
- 1992: Denmark
- 1988: Netherlands
- 1984: France
- 1980: West Germany
- 1976: Czechoslovakia
- 1972: West Germany
- 1968: Italy
- 1964: Spain
- 1960: Soviet Union
Contributing: Reuters
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