PLAYER RATINGS: Which Germany star put in a ‘mesmerising’ show?
Scotland suffered a nightmare start to Euro 2024 after they were thrashed by a rampant Germany on the opening night in Munich.
The Germans ran riot as goals from Florian Wirtz and the outstanding Jamal Musiala put them 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. Kai Havertz then made it 3-0 with a penalty just before half-time after an incident which saw Scotland defender Ryan Porteous sent off for a wild lunge on Ilkay Gundogan.
Niclas Fullkrug added another for the hosts, before Scott McKenna pulled one back for the ten-man Scots late in the game. But that was scant consolation for the Tartan Army, who had travelled to Munich en masse for the nation’s first overseas tournament in 26 years.
Steve Clarke’s men were taught a footballing lesson by a slick German side, with Emre Can making it 5-1 in the closing stages, and the Scotland boss must now dust his players down after a brutal defeat. His side will continue their campaign when they face Switzerland on Wednesday night in Cologne.
Mail Sport’s Calum Crowe rates the players from the game in Munich.
Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign got off to the worst possible start as they lost 5-1 against hosts Germany in Munich
Steve Clarke’s side were second best and trailed from early on, going into half time 3-0 down
GERMANY (4-3-2-1)
MANUEL NEUER – 7: His place had been under question coming into the tournament, but he might as well have been sat in the stand as Scotland failed to ask any questions of him whatsoever.
JOSHUA KIMMICH – 7.5: Such an intelligent operator in terms of how he inverted and moved in and out of midfield from his starting position at right-back. Good vision to lay on the assist as Wirtz made it 1-0.
ANTONIO RUDIGER – 7.5: Enjoyed an outstanding season with Real Madrid and simply strolled through the 90 minutes. Was far too strong as he brushed off challenges from Scotland attackers. Will be key to German hopes going forward.
JONATHAN TAH – 7: A rock at the back for Bayer Leverkusen as they romped to an historic league and cup double. Stepped out from the back and fed the ball into Kroos in midfield.
MAX MITTELSTADT – 7: The Stuttgart man got forward well and provided good width on the left. Relatively unproven at the top level but Scotland gave him an easy ride and never attacked him.
ROBERT ANDRICH – 7.5: A destructive presence as he patrolled the base of Germany’s midfield. Booked for a crunching tackle on McTominay. The perfect foil for Kroos as he mopped up any danger.
TONI KROOS – 8.5: Back for one last hurrah in a Germany jersey. He absolutely ran the show in midfield. Dropped deep to dictate the game and sprayed the ball around with pinpoint accuracy. Simply outstanding.
Toni Kroos ran the show in midfield in his final hurrah in a Germany – and football – jersey
Ilkay Gundogan (left), meanwhile, showed fantastic movement throughout Friday’s fixture
ILKAY GUNDOGAN – 8.5: Drifted in and out of space to devastating effect. Split Scotland’s defence wide open with a sublime pass in the move which led to Musiala’s goal. Lucky not to be seriously injured after horror tackle from Porteous.
FLORIAN WIRTZ – 8: Wonderful first-time finish from the edge of the box gave Germany the early lead they craved. Leverkusen’s little magician was crowned player of the year in the Bundesliga and you can see why. Scotland couldn’t get near him.
JAMAL MUSIALA – 9: Playing in his home stadium, the young Bayern Munich superstar was utterly mesmerising. Made no mistake as he thumped the ball high into the net for 2-0. Tore Scotland apart with his poise and balance on the ball.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7.5: Will never be natural No 9 but linked well with the trio of Wirtz, Musiala and Gundogan behind him. Looked confident after a good season with Arsenal and stepped up to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Subs: Pascal Gross (for Andrich 46), Niclas Fullkrug (for Sane 63), Leroy Sane (for Wirtz 63), Thomas Muller (for Musiala 74), Emre Can (for Kroos 80).
Manager: Julian Nagelsmann – 8: A lot of Germany fans were unconvinced about him heading into the Euros. Nagelsmann needed a big win on the opening night – and his team duly delivered with a display of slick attacking football.
Jamal Musiala lit up the Allianz Arena, his home stadium, and scored his side’s second goal
SCOTLAND (3-4-2-1)
ANGUS GUNN – 6: Got his hand to the ball but was unable to prevent it from nestling in the back of the net as Wirtz made it 1-0. Then the floodgates opened. Helpless as the Germans ran riot.
JACK HENDRY – 5: At sixes and sevens as he tried to deal with the threat of Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz and Co. Didn’t know whether to step out and engage or hold his line as German attackers dropped into space.
RYAN PORTEOUS – 4: Started ahead of Grant Hanley in central defence. Was actually having a decent game until he lunged in recklessly on Gundogan to concede a penalty late in the first half. Rightly sent off.
KIERAN TIERNEY – 5: Probably as quiet a game as you’re ever likely to see from him in a Scotland jersey. Made a couple of decent blocks but it was never enough to stem the tide.
ANTHONY RALSTON – 4: Came into the Euros lacking match sharpness – and it showed. Looked hesitant and nervy all night. Will probably be having nightmares about Musiala for weeks. Will be lucky to keep his place after this.
CALLUM McGREGOR – 5: The Celtic skipper celebrated his 31st birthday by going toe-to-toe with German maestro Kroos. But it was a night to forget. Couldn’t get on the ball anywhere near enough to make anything happen.
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 5: Hadn’t played since Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup Final last month due to a slight knock. Came back into midfield but it proved to be a hugely difficult night as the Germans hit cruise control.
Ryan Porteous was having a good game until he lunged in recklessly and was rightly sent off
Scotland captain Andy Robertson looked bright until it all fell apart for him and his players
ANDY ROBERTSON – 5: The Scotland skipper looked bright in the early stages but it all fell apart. Struggled to deal with threat in wide areas. Has a big job to try and galvanise the squad after this thumping defeat.
JOHN McGINN – 5: Started the week doing a funny dance as the Scots arrived to great fanfare in Germany. Finished it by chasing shadows in Munich. So often Scotland’s talisman but he was utterly anonymous.
RYAN CHRISTIE – 5: Came charging through the back of Musiala in what looked to be a penalty, only for VAR to offer a reprieve as it was outside the box. Never offered anything in attack.
CHE ADAMS – 5: Was given the nod ahead of Lawrence Shankland up front but he was essentially a passenger. Was living on scraps as the Scots sat so deep in their own half. Sacrificed at half-time after the red card to Porteous.
Subs: Grant Hanley (for Adams 46), Billy Gilmour (for McGregor 67), Kenny McLean (for McGinn 67), Lawrence Shankland (for Christie 82).
Manager: Steve Clarke – 4: Scotland came into the Euros as a team out of form – and it showed. His team sat so deep and couldn’t get near Germany. Big task to pick the players up after this hammering.
