Germany fans dreaming after 'perfect night'
Germany made an ideal start to their home European Championship as a 5-1 demolition of Scotland got fans dreaming again.
Euro 2024 expectations had been low despite the three-time European champions, one of football's long-time powerhouses, hosting the tournament.
But Germany were hugely impressive against, admittedly, a painfully poor Scotland - and recorded their biggest Euros win ever.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and a Kai Havertz penalty gave Julian Nagelsmann's side a 3-0 half-time lead, with Ryan Porteous dismissed for Scotland following a reckless challenge.
With the game practically won, Germany eased up before Niclas Fullkrug hammered in a fourth – and had a fifth disallowed.
Antonio Rudiger's own goal gave the Scots something to cheer about for a few moments before Emre Can made it 5-1 with the final kick of the game.
"You have to credit Germany for their performance. They were under pressure coming into the tournament," said ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who was at the Allianz Arena for BBC Radio 5 Live.
"They smothered Scotland and blew them away in the first half. They took their foot off the gas in the second half. It could have been a far bigger margin than 5-1."
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin added that Germany looked like potential champions.
"There were little bits that reminded me of Manchester City," he said. "The way they pressed really high and you must be able to play through them.
"I also loved the intelligence of Julian Nagelsmann who saw where Scotland's weaknesses were and absolutely punishes them and destroys them."
Nagelsmann said of his team's victory: "I'm happy. It's not easy to have the first game in our own country.
"We were brilliant in the first 20 minutes. It's a good sign that our players complained about conceding."
Source: BBC
Trending Sports
Ghana's AFCON 2025 dreams diminish after 2-0 setback to Sudan
16:21AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Black Stars face must-win clash against Sudan today
09:44AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Black Stars' destiny is in their own hands – Otto Addo
09:00Morocco to host CAF Women’s Champions League finals 2024, 8 teams compete for glory
10:332024 All Regional Games postponed
21:09Libya threatens legal action after Nigeria pulls out of football qualifier
02:07Sudan striker says Kwesi Appiah has 'changed our mentality into thinking we could beat anyone'
04:242025 AFCON qualifiers: Otto Addo felt 'dead' after Ghana v Sudan but alive now with optimism for next games
03:57Thomas Partey is fit for Bournemouth game – Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta
15:25Kudus Mohammed: Black Stars captain assures Ghana of ‘redeeming ourselves in the upcoming matches’
01:15