WELL, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
The good news is that we will soon be experiencing the blessed sound of bagpipes retreating into the distance.
The Tartan Army can start packing their bags in preparation for yet another group-stage exit after an utter humiliation in this Euros opener.
Give them a wee medal for having the best fans, by all means, because the Scots have certainly enjoyed a proper hooley in Munich this week.
At least until the first whistle was blown and the actual football started.
But the bad news for those of an English persuasion is that Germany are looking seriously, ominously good.
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The shower of Scotland were only as bad as Julian Nagelsmann’s side made them look.
By half-time, Steve Clarke’s side were 3-0 down and reduced to ten men – with Germany’s wunderkinds Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala handing Scotland’s backsides to them on a plate.
Scotland have qualified for 11 previous tournaments and never reached the knock-out stage.
It is difficult to imagine them garnering the four points they are likely to need against Hungary and Switzerland in their remaining Group A fixtures in order to progress this time.
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Germany, eliminated at the group stage at the last two World Cups, had been largely overlooked by those tipping winners of this competition.
But they must surely be part of the argument after this ruthless demolition job.
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Musiala, the Bayern Munich playmaker who has so much in common with Jude Bellingham, was majestic here.
The Germans are expecting him to emerge into genuine world-class status and that is precisely where he looked here.
Before kick-off, there had been a carnival atmosphere on the U-bahn – men in skirts and men in leather shorts joining forces against a common foe with chants of ‘We hate England more than you!’
The Tartan Army had spent most of the previous 48 hours getting piddled in the Marienplatz, with its vast beer halls.
Few of them were optimistic about this match but the ‘No Scotland, No Party’ vibe ensured that they were going to savour this occasion – a first overseas tournament appearance in 26 years – no matter what.
Sir Alex Ferguson appeared on the big screen, urging his countrymen to enjoy themselves whatever the result – never a sentiment he’d have expressed in his heyday.
After a low-rent opening ceremony and a couple of stirring national anthems, we had us a first authentic summer footballing shebang in six years.
The Germans went straight for the jugular and were ahead inside ten minutes.
Toni Kroos played a trademark crossfield pass out to Josh Kimmich, who squared for Wirtz to drill a low first-time shot which Angus Gunn could only turn onto the inside of the post on its way in.
The former England Under-21 keeper has clearly picked up the ancient traditions of Scottish glovemanship.
Germany were so dominant, it was like watching Real Madrid against QPR.
Soon Ilkay Gundogan sliced open the Scottish defence with a surgical pass, Kai Havertz cut inside and cut back for Musiala to swivel and ram a shot into the roof of the net.
And it might have been three inside 25 minutes, but for VAR.
Musiala was shoved in the back by Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney lunged in on him. Ref Clement Turpin pointed to the spot but his VAR said Christie’s offence had come fractionally outside the area.
It was a massive let-off but there was still no sign of Scotland actually joining in.
This was so one-sided that the German supporters started a Mexican Wave after less than half an hour.
Before the break, it got far, far worse for the Scots.
Gunn pulled off an excellent save from a Gundogan header but from the rebound, Ryan Porteous lunged and caught the former Manchester City man on the shin.
Turpin had given nothing but after he was sent to his screen by his VAR, the French ref awarded a penalty and dismissed the Scottish defender.
Havertz casually sent Gunn the wrong way and a first half from hell was complete for Clarke’s men.
At half-time, there was no Braveheartery as Clarke opted for damage limitation, taking off his lone striker Che Adams and bringing on Grant Hanley in defence.
Gundogan was unable to continue after his maiming by Porteous.
As a lone piper played a blood-curdling lament in the away end, Wirtz skied a close-range volley after some bewitching work from Musiala.
Nagelsmann began resting some key men, including Wirtz and Havertz, before the hour mark – although the sight of Leroy Sane emerging from the bench must have felt like a cruel joke to the Scots.
Niclas Fullkrug, who had just replaced Havertz, then stole the ball off the toes of Hanley and walloped it into the far corner for the fourth before he had another effort ruled out for offside.
Musiala was withdrawn to make way for veteran Thomas Muller. We are going to see plenty more of this young fella over the next month – quite possibly all the way until the final in Berlin on July 14.
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The Scottish support erupted in joy three minutes from time when Toni Rudiger diverted a Scott McKenna header into his own net.
But just when the ten men thought hey had the satisfaction of drawing the second half, Emre Can thumped home Germany’s fifth with the last kick of the game.
Mark Halsey on penalty and red card
SCOTLAND can have no arguments with Germany’s first-half penalty or Ryan Porteous’ red card.
Watford defender Porteous made a dangerous lunge at Ilkay Gundogan and the officials finally came to the correct decision.
It was tough for French referee Clement Turpin to see the challenge in real-time but VAR was quick to intervene for a review at the monitor and he immediately pointed to the spot.
This is how VAR should work and the technology was also used efficiently when Turpin awarded a penalty but Jamal Musiala was caught by a combination of Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney just outside the box.
It was refreshing that Scotland captain Andy Robertson followed the protocol and was the only player to approach Turpin following his decisions.
I said in my Euro 2024 preview that we would see fast games due to the direction of Uefa refs’ chief Roberto Rosetti and Germany’s easy win in Munich was a positive start.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
