MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 14: Ilkay Guendogan of Germany is fouled by Ryan Porteous of Scotland, which results in a penalty for Germany and a red card for Ryan Porteous, during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Scotland at Munich Football Arena on June 14, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The SFA were utterly humiliated on the world stage tonight as Germany crushed Scotland 5-1 in the opening match of the European Championships.
Calls are now expected to drop Tony Ralston and Callum McGregor for Wednesday’s match against Switzerland with Ross McCrorie and Billy Gilmour the natural replacement.
Even the famous Tartan Army were forced to stop singing about themselves as they watched Germany race into a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes as the hosts dominated every area of the park.
Shortly before half-time Germany went 3-0 in front from the penalty spot after a shocking assault by Porteous on Ilkay Gundogan that possibly involved two red card offences as he wiped out the German skipper six yards from goal.
It was the sort of challenge that Porteous got away with week in week out as a Hibs player, at this level you don’t get the same ‘hard but fair’ approach . The Watford defender is now likely to be hit with at least a two match ban.
Florian Wiltz got the route underway in the 10th minute with a low shot from 20 yards out that Angus Gunn got a full hand on but only to push onto the post and into the net.
Gunn has a nightmare end to the season as Norwich lost 4-0 away to Leeds in the EPL play-off, with Zander Clark and Liam Kelly providing the competition Gunn is certain to retain his place for the match against the Swiss.
Steve Clarke took Che Adams off at half-time with Grant Hanley going into defence alongside Jack Hendry and Kieran Tierney.
Scotland survived a few scares early in the second half but in the 65th minute McGregor and John McGinn were replaced by Kenny McLean and Gilmour.
Within two minutes of that change Niclas Fullkrug belted in Germany’s fourth as the hosts cut straight through the Scotland midfield despite the substitutions.
Five minutes from the final whistle, without having a single attempt on goal Scotland got a consolation with a freak own goal off Antonio Rudiger.
Germany quickly put that set-back behind them with a stoppage time shot from Emre Can again exposing Gunn as it slipped in low at the far post.
The final scoreline flattered Scotland but Clarke will know that he has his work cut out to take something from the match against Switzerland knowing that defeat in that match will almost certainly see Scotland eliminated.
I think I know now why Clarke plays two Left-backs in the same team?
It is so he can play five across the back once the games get competitive!
Scotland never turned up I think it is fair to say.
No drive or ambition, it is as poor a Scotland team as I can remember.
Were Scotland so bad…or they so good ??…Bit of both imo…but put aside the gulf in class…and there was a gulf…Germany’s work rate was outstanding…Scotland had no answer to their closing us down…We were outclassed…and got off lightly imo.
Scotland are SHITE! 2 victories against the ‘Mighty’ Cyprus, 1 v Georgia at A PISSIN DOON Rain Hampdump, 1 v Spain Reserves who cdny be ARSED & a TOTAL Smash n grab 2 Mins v Norway & we’re thru! 1 victory since in 9 against the WORST team EVER who’re no even a team in Gibraltar & yet IDIOTS had us winning this game lol! We will Finish with whit the UK generally score in Eurovision.. NIL POI!!
Ally McCoist was a great poacher but hadn’t a clue as a manager so the ITV decide to pay him vast amounts of money to give his “expert opinion” in the Euros That “voish ” would do your head in.
Just like the last Euros…
Clarke doesn’t try to win games,
but tries to avoid losing games.
Pathetic manager for a pathetic SFA.
Play the game to win: might still lose 5-1 but the manager and team would get more respect
for trying to win.
The Tartan Army deserves a lot better…?
Every other shit nation manage a good tournament. Greece win one, Wales get to a semi, Republic of Ireland got a Quarter final, Scotland are always pish. Souness should not be on ITV criticising them as he played in a lot better Scotland team that still failed miserably. We really are in the football wilderness, the definition of minnow
dan watch yer gob with yer shit nation comments kid !!
Bertie Basset, my apologies but I meant shit at football nation, only that, and we are
Mediocrity rules in Scotland at all levels, where it appears that the most important qualification you need to be involved in administering officiating or indeed commentating on football is either to be a mason or to have played for the huns.
The evidence is there for all to see.