Properly, it is honest to say that Scotland could not have made a a lot worse begin to Euro 2024, happening 5-1 to Germany within the match opener in Munich.
Steve Clarke’s facet had been completely outclassed by the hosts, not helped by a component of implosion on their half as Ryan Porteous was a proven a straight purple card for a horrific deal with on German captain Ilkay Gundogan. Antonio Rudiger’s late personal purpose gave the hordes of Scottish followers – who had been in such excessive spirits within the lead-up to this recreation – one thing to cheer about, however it was an evening of close to whole distress for the Tartan Military.
After this humbling by the hands of the three-time European champions, can Scotland bounce again? And what do they want from their remaining two group video games to succeed in the final 16 of Euro 2024?
Scotland have all of it to do at Euro 2024
Can Steve Clarke rally his troops to bounce again towards Switzerland? (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Few anticipated Scotland to take something from the conflict with Germany, however the limp method of their defeat leaves them with a psychological mountain to climb as a lot as something. Within the phrases of former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, talking on BBC Radio 5 Stay, the Scots “froze” – and the stats again up that assertion: Germany posted 20 photographs to Scotland’s 1, registering 2.17 anticipated targets (xG) to Scotland’s 0.01. Absolute domination.
Lose to Switzerland of their subsequent Group A match on Wednesday and it will not be match mathematically over – three factors might be sufficient to undergo, with the 4 greatest third-placed groups advancing to the knockout stage – however with their confidence already absolutely having taken an enormous hit, one senses Scotland want one thing from that encounter.
Some extent towards the Swiss should maintain Clarke and co’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign alive heading into their third and last group fixture towards Hungary, as they purpose to do what no earlier Scotland workforce has ever managed: make it out of the group stage of a significant match.
Scotland do a ‘reverse England’
Michael Owen scored a hat-trick as England famously thrashed Germany 5-1 in Munich in 2001 (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Scotland’s 5-1 thrashing by Germany got here 23 years after England – conventional rivals for each nations – famously received 5-1 towards the identical opposition in the identical metropolis.
One of the best options, enjoyable and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox each week.
This was additionally the primary time that the Scots had shipped 5 targets in a single recreation since shedding 5-1 to the USA in a pleasant in Might 2012.
Get a free reside stream to observe Euro 2024 from anyplace on the earth for the summer season’s huge match
Extra Euro 2024 tales
HOW TO WATCH EURO 2024 Comply with the motion wherever you’re on the earth
WHO WILL WIN THE TOURNAMENT? FourFourTwo workers make their predictions
TONI KROOS EXCLUSIVE ‘Lifting the Euros could be the right ending to my profession’
EURO 2024 SQUADS Who’s on the aircraft to Germany?
