Photo: AFP 

Germany beat Scotland 5-1 in thrilling Euro Cup 2024 opener

Munich: With a confidence-boosting 5-1 victory over Scotland's 10-man team on Friday, host Germany began the European Championship.

Germany took the lead within less than twenty minutes thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, who also became their team's two youngest goal scorers in Euro history.

When defender Ryan Porteous was sent off and Kai Havertz converted the ensuing spot kick, the first half concluded in the worst conceivable way for Scotland.

The hosts won by the greatest margin in a European Championship opening match when substitute Niclas Fllkrug scored Germany's fourth goal in the 68th minute and Emre Can scored in stoppage time.

Just moments before, Scotland, devoid of a shot on goal during the game, gave its boisterous supporters something to celebrate when Germany defender Antonio Rdiger's ball was shoved into the net for an own goal.

If Steve Clarke's team is to advance from Group A and make it to the knockout stage for the first time, it will need to do better against Hungary and Switzerland. Germany is vying for a record-breaking fourth European Championship title, tied with Spain.

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