Steve Clarke’s side were blown away by the tournament hosts as even their most experienced players struggled to make an impact
Ryan Porteous saw red and Angus Gunn looked out of his depth as Scotland were thumped 5-1 by Germany in their Euro 2024 opener.
The tournament hosts got off to a perfect start when Florian Wirtz’s first-time shot from just inside the box proved too hot to handle for Scotland goalkeeper Gunn in the 10th minute. Things then went from bad to worse for the Scots when the brilliant Jamal Musiala slammed in nine minutes later, and their misery was compounded when Porteous was sent-off just before the break for a rash challenge on Ilkay Gundogan, as Kai Havertz dispatched the resulting penalty.
The bruised and beaten visitors then conceded a fourth in the 68th minute thanks to a rasping strike from substitute Niclas Fullkrug. Antonio Rudiger’s own goal gave Scotland a consolation goal three minutes from time, before Emre Can curled in at the death to make it 5-1 on a chastening night for the Tartan Army, who have now won just one of their last 10 games.
Footballblogzz rates Scotland’s players from Allianz Arena…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Angus Gunn (3/10):
Conceded the first goal of the tournament as he didn’t get a strong enough hand to keep out Wirtz’s opener, but he could do nothing about Musiala’s piledriver soon after. Made a couple of good reaction stops, but this was a night to forget for the Norwich man.
Anthony Ralston (3/10):
Perhaps relied on strength in numbers for Germany’s opener when he could have tried to get tight to Wirtz, who finished with aplomb. Picked up a yellow card courtesy of a clumsy challenge early in the second half, too.
Ryan Porteous (2/10):
Was caught out a couple of times by balls over the top and then was sent-off before the break for a desperate, and ultimately reckless, challenge on Gundogan, which led to the penalty.
Jack Hendry (4/10):
Started in a confident fashion but was soon overrun by wave after wave of German attacks. Was part of a defence that looked scattered, divided and leaderless.
Kieran Tierney (4/10):
The usually effective left-sided duo of Tierney and Robertson didn’t get a chance to shine as they were smothered from the off.
Andrew Robertson (4/10):
Was exposed a couple of times by the twinkling feet and dynamic movement of Musiala. Had a bit more joy against substitute Sane, but still looked isolated on many occasions. Whipped in a good cross late on as the Scots grabbed a consolation.
Midfield
Scott McTominay (5/10):
Was outnumbered and swarmed all over but held his own in trying to drive out from deep. He was collecting the ball much closer to his own goal than he would have liked, though.
Callum McGregor (4/10):
Was caught out in the build-up to the second goal when he tried to make an interception in midfield. Although he was certainly second-best, he made one or two well-timed blocks to keep the scoreline down.
Ryan Christie (4/10):
Like many of his team-mates, the midfielder was a bit anonymous and was chasing shadows for much of the night. Following the sending off, played as a false nine, but was ineffective.
John McGinn (4/10):
Had a few hopeful balls forward but they didn’t give Adams much of a chance to get his teeth into the contest. Held onto the ball a bit too long at times, too.
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Attack
Che Adams (4/10):
Was a virtual spectator during his 45 minutes on the pitch. The striker got little to no service from his team-mates and was hooked at half-time.
Subs & Manager
Grant Hanley (4/10):
Was brought on to stop the bleeding and keep the goal difference down. Unfortunately for him, he was powerless against the Germans.
Billy Gilmour (4/10):
The game seemed to pass him by when he was introduced in the second half.
Kenny McLean (5/10):
One of the few players who actually got his foot on the ball and tried to play.
Scott McKenna (5/10):
Got a touch before Rudiger headed into his own net late on.
Lawrence Shankland (N/A):
Had no real time to make an impact.
Steve Clarke (3/10):
Not many would have quibbled with the starting line up, bar Gilmour being benched, but Germany just outclassed Scotland from the first whistle. Their defensive line was all over the place, they looked shell-shocked, and a first-rate German side took advantage. He took striker Adams off to limit their losses, but often Gunn and the defence would go long without someone up top. The tactics were… odd.
