Germany beat Scotland in the opening game of Euro 2024 as the tournament finally started. Victory for the hosts has the potential to spark a memorable summer. After the fans had shown the home fans what it was to dance and had shown Europe what a conservative opening ceremony looked like, it was time for some football.
Both Germany the country and the team have been waiting for to finally begin. Indeed, in the last two weeks alone, the team has faced a debate about its goalkeeper and , while the country is still reeling from the . Football was never going to change that, but it certainly felt like after all the talking about what a strong Germany performance at this tournament might do for the country, it was time to find out what this team would deliver.
Statement win The answer turned out to be a pretty perfect performance for the opening game of a home Euros. The hosts swept past Scotland with the speed of a team looking to banish the troubles of recent years. For the first time since 2016, Germany won their opening game at a major tournament.
There was no lift-off moment to match Philipp Lahm's goal in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup against Costa Rica, but the manner of the victory will have set crowds at fan festivals across the country jumping for joy. sweeping, 108km/h strike into the far corner had coach Julian Nagelsmann exploded in a mess of bulging neck veins and clenched fists on the sideline. Jamal Musiala danced inside the Scottish defense before hammeri.
