It’s too early for the meme Train location? It seems like it should be too soon for the meme of Train location. But later Scotland made the worst possible start to their Euro 2024 During the campaign, in a nightmarish opening defeat to hosts Germany in Munich, Ewan McGregor’s Renton may have added to his iconic monologue about Scottishness. Scotland never win anything, we are the lowest of the low, and after 45 minutes of their biggest game in 26 years, we went into half-time with three goals down, one player down, no shots, no corners, no nothing. Thank you Antonio Rudiger, you are our only hope.
A consolation own goal from the German defender was celebrated by the tremendous Tartan Army, but Scotland played with the eyes of the world on them and were humiliated 5-1. Still, it could have been worse. Everything remains possible in Group A, which for Scotland may be the only positive aspect of a literally sobering night, where Germany continued their party and the Tartan Army collapsed, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them.
Scotland took 200,000 to Germany, filling Munich with all the hopes, dreams and misguided beliefs in the world, and then saw it all disappear when a young, hungry German team destroyed Steve Clarke’s team with speed, intensity and a quality of play that it was simply beyond them.
Florian Wirtz’s opening goal after just 10 minutes was a coup. Jamal Musiala’s second goal for just 20 points was a serious concern. A penalty postponement, after Ryan Christie hit Musiala in the back, was Scotland’s first chance to celebrate something, creating the illusion that they were back in the game, but the calamitous moment of Ryan Porteous flying feet first on the shin of Ilkay Gundogan was the stuff of horrors for Scotland. Porteous was sent off, Kai Havertz scored a penalty. Niclas Fullkrug arrived and was a pain in the ass, continuing the fight when Scotland lost theirs.
The striker scored the fourth before Emre Can added the fifth with the last touch to round off a perfect night for the hosts. Scotland really needed Germany to shut down, to feel the opening game jitters. Instead, Scotland’s incredibly deep defense created the platform for Germany to assert their confidence. Toni Kroos, the maestro German captain described by Andy Robertson as the “best midfielder in the world” on Thursday, was given the freedom in Munich to pick out beautiful passes between the blue wall. As Kroos drove, the 34-year-old almost backed away, in awe of the skill displayed by the young German stars.
And that’s it: Scotland could have competed and held on for longer, but they still lost. Wirtz, the Bundesliga player of the year, was clinical when his big moment arrived. The electric Musiala, shining on his pitch, never stopped moving – which might be an obvious thing to say about a football player, but Musiala constantly vibrates with intention and direction. Scotland positioned themselves in a back five but never got close to Wirtz and Musiala, who narrowly scored and still found space to devastate Scotland with quick, intelligent movement and exchanges.
Even within the first three minutes, Scotland received three clear warning signs. The Tartan Army, fired up behind Angus Gunn’s goal, roared with every save and block. Gunn made an imposing save after just two minutes when Wirtz went through, even though the 21-year-old was offside. Seconds later, Porteous bravely stuck out his leg as Musiala flew towards him in the box. On the wing, Robertson was sent after Musiala’s shadow after the 21-year-old sold the Scotland captain a scandalous dummy. Keiran Tierney was there to clear the corner and the Scottish crowd almost erupted.
Scotland had to face the wave, but the White Shirts continued to advance. Germany’s second triggered an emergency meeting within Scotland’s ranks: everything Callum McGregor said to Robertson was met with a “Yes, I know” response. But that was the problem: Scotland could see where the problems were. Doing anything about Germany’s talent and fire was a different matter. Clarke aimed for his head, but then Porteous, in throwing himself so desperately at Gundogan, missed his. In a way, it helped Scotland. Germany lost their intensity with the game won so comfortably at half-time.
Scotland, however, knew that their Euro 2024 would not be decided on opening night. The most difficult game in the group is behind us and qualification could be possible even if they win just one of the remaining games, against Switzerland, in Cologne, and Hungary, in Stuttgart.
In the 70th minute, with Scotland well defeated, a cry of “Flower of Scotland” echoed from the other side. Clarke’s players will maintain their unwavering support and Scotland will need them if they are to recover mentally after such a disastrous start. Scotland have been sent home to think again but there is still a long way to go.
