HOSTS Germany were ruthless tonight in the opening match of Euro 2024 European Championship, beating Scotland 5-1 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can were all on the scoresheet for Germany while their teammate Antonio Rudiger scored a consolation own goal for the Scots.
Scotland played the entire second half with 10 men following Ryan Porteus’ 44th minute sending off for dangerous play.
Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz got the Germany party started in the 10th minute and Bayern Munich’s Musiala doubled the lead nine minutes later on his home turf.
Scotland survived a penalty scare when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review judged a foul to have been just outside the box.
VAR then played another key role in Germany’s third goal, with the referee called to the pitchside monitor after missing Porteus’ reckless challenge on Ilkay Gundogan in the box.
A penalty was awarded to Germany which Havertz converted in first-half stoppage time and Porteus was given Euro 2004’s first red card.
Porteous became the first player to be sent off on his debut at the European Championship since Austria’s Aleksandar Dragovic in 2016 (versus Hungary).
Substitutes Fullkrug and Can added two more goals in the second half as Germany cruised to the top of Group A, with Hungary to face Switzerland tomorrow.
Even Rudiger’s own goal in the 87th minute could not spoil Germany’s party mood as they chase a record fourth European Championship title.
