The much-awaited Euro 2024 is underway as the host nation, Germany, played the opening match against Scotland. This year’s Euro has several reasons to be specified as the most enthusiastic contest.
However, a good start doesn’t imply anything, especially in a highly competitive contest like Euro 2024. Yet the Germans dominated one-sidedly in their very first game, and this is a stellar start to their campaign as they not only found the back of the nets at regular intervals but also controlled the game in a near-perfect manner.
The Germans seemed to be back in the groove under their new boss, Nagelsmann. The lack of coordination in the last few years, which was against the spirit of German football, is now restored with their experienced ball keepers in the midfield and their agile forwards, who have quite a great short.
From the very first second of kick-off, the experienced Kroos and Gundogan kept the Scots under immense pressure as they made many forward runs to the unstoppable Musiala, who seemed impossible to intercept.
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Their early efforts bore fruit, Wirtz swept off the opening goal from the edge of the penalty box. The game never seemed to slip off their grip as spectacular Musiala stepped up and found the back of the net with a terrific shot around the top corner.
Though not seen among the scorers, the real architects of Germany’s splendid game were midfielders Kroos and Gundogan. Toni Kroos went deep to connect the play between the two halves, while Gundogan was the ghost for the opposition, as he seemed invisible until found at the perfect playmaking position.
Both of them played vital roles in the first two goals before the German with the captain’s band earned a penalty for Havertz to also include in the scorer’s list.
Though the entire frontline of the German wing was very convincing, the Bayern winger seemed unstoppable forward runs and dribbles were left untouched by a herd of defenders. It would not be wrong to rate him a full 10 for his effort.
Alongside them, the second half seemed to have yellow magic as two Dortmund stars found the net, with Fullkrug and Can scoring late in the game. With only a single flaw from Rudiger’s own goal, the Germans found the nets of either side and ended the scoreline 5-1 in the tournament opener.