Euro 2024: Germany 5 (Wirtz 10', Musiala 19', Havertz 45+1' (P), Fullkurg 68', Can 90+3') Scotland 1 (Rudiger 87' (OG)) Rock? They sure did. Julian Nagelsmann and Germany are rolling, which means that Euro 2024 is not just up and running but really humming along from the off. A Scottish side which rolled over in near-historic fashion of course helped but as soon as a celtic chorus had died down, the hosts were pitch perfect here.
On the eve of the opener Nagelsmann had revealed that Toni Kroos’s message upon coming out of retirement for a tilt at turning Germany back into something that could contend for the piece of silver at stake here was two words: “Let’s rock.” As Kroos came ashore with ten minutes remaining at Allianz Arena, the rafters of the place shook just a little with the raucous salute coming the midfielder’s way. But Kroos was just one of the German ensemble who hit all of the right notes.
A wide-open tournament means, more than ever, momentum can be crucial. Ninety minutes into a month, Germany are already raising the volume. Their attack was nimble and crafty, finding all of the softness in the Scots backline — and there was plenty — Florian Wirtz becoming Germany’s youngest Euros scorer within 10 minutes and Jamal Musiala second-youngest soon after.
They were fed by Kroos but also by skipper Ilkay Gundogan whose performance might bode the brightest, quite brilliant in the No.10 role. Kai Havertz got off the mark too, Niclas Fullkrug lumbered i.
