Germany dazzled in their Euro 2024 opener, with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz sprinkling their magic over a seasoned squad.
Florian Wirtz ignited Euro 2024 within just 10 minutes of kick-off.
Following a stellar season at Bayer Leverkusen that earned him Bundesliga’s top accolade, Wirtz entered Euro 2024 amid much anticipation.
In Munich, his deft initial strike early on Friday put Germany on the leaderboard, solidifying his rising star status beneath Julian Nagelsmann’s astute guidance. In the previous season, Wirtz notched 18 goals and contributed to 19 others.
The subsequent German onslaught concluded in a historic 5-1 victory, marking the most dominant opening performance by a host nation in Euros history.
Yet, it was Musiala who stole the limelight.
Post netting a spectacular second goal, Musiala masterminded the offensive play, culminating in Niclas Fullkrug’s goal that brought the score to 4-0.
Musiala, previously a solitary highlight in Germany’s disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign, mesmerized the Scots. He dazzled with eight dribble attempts and dominated with his involvement in numerous duels before Thomas Muller, seasoned in battle, took his place.
Curiosity swirled around Nagelsmann’s strategy for employing his two prodigious number 10s.
His blueprint involved pairing the duo with a veteran midfield comprising Ilkay Gundogan, Robert Andrich, and the stellar Toni Kroos. The tactic paid dividends.
Wirtz made history as the youngest to score first in a Euros and for Germany at the tournament.
With Musiala’s goal, Germany achieved an unprecedented feat with two youngsters scoring in the same Euros match.
Despite youth’s brilliance at the Allianz Arena, the only smudge was an Antonio Rudiger own goal as Scotland struggled significantly.
Kroos, entering his final campaign, led the way in touches and nearly perfect pass completions, setting the stage for Joshua Kimmich’s assist to Wirtz.
Gundogan was pivotal, snatching a penalty which Kai Havertz converted to raise the score to 3-0, resulting in Scotland’s Ryan Porteous being sent off.
In his landmark 35th major tournament outing, Manuel Neuer broke more records, surpassing Philipp Lahm’s major tournament appearances for Germany.
Despite worries about inexperience, Germany’s squad on Friday averaged 29 years in age, their oldest since 2000.
Under Nagelsmann’s savvy, Germany joined elite company, replicating Lars Lagerback’s 2004 kickoff triumph.
The midfield maestros garnered praise too.
Havertz, no longer just promising talent, shined bright upfront, setting up Musiala before coolly netting his spot-kick.
Fullkrug, Champions League final hero, maintained his knack for striking significant goals from the bench.
Emre Can, a late addition, finalized the scoreline.
Germany, finally synchronizing under Nagelsmann, stand as Group A’s titans with robust support from their homeland.
While tougher challenges await from Hungary and Switzerland, Germany’s opener was a clear display of their potent mix of youth and experience.
