Germany - Scotland summary: score, goals, highlights | Euro 2024

Keane blasts Scotland performance

Also on ITV, former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain Roy Keane has absolutely laid into the Scots' display in Munich.

“It’s no good talking after the game and [saying] ‘We had a game plan,’ it’s rubbish," Keane said, after hearing Andy Roberton's post-match comments. "It’s just rubbish coming out. You knew before the game what was at stake, and after the game it’s no good going, ‘We’ll regroup and we’ll be angry tomorrow.’ You should be angry for a long time.

"They talked before the game about creating history. They created history alright, by playing as bad as that and letting their manager and supporters down.”

Scotland "didn't show up" - Robertson

Scotland captain Andy Robertson has been speaking to ITV in the UK.

“In the first half, we just got it all wrong, really," Robertson said. "Didn’t really show up, weren’t aggressive enough, let good players on the ball.

"They obviously had a game plan and we did [too], and their game plan worked a million times better than ours.”

And here's another tournament first, per Mister Chip:

Per Gracenote Live, tonight's match also achieved this Euros first:

Musiala the man of the match

Jamal Musiala, who scored Germany's second goal and generally terrorised the Scotland defence, has been chosen as UEFA's Player of the Match.

Only 1960's opener provided more goals

Per Spanish stats specialist Mister Chip, today's game was the second-highest-scoring opener in Euros history. Only Yugoslavia's 5-4 win over France, in the inaugural tournament in 1960, had more.

Germany have now won seven and drawn two of their nine competitive meetings with Scotland.

Fearsome Füllkrug

Germany's Niclas Füllkrug (left) celebrates after scoring Germany's fourth goal in Munich.

Scotland's biggest defeat in over a decade

This is the first time that Scotland have conceded five goals in a competitive match since a 6-0 loss to the Netherlands just over 20 years ago, in a Euro 2004 qualifying playoff. Including friendlies, it hadn't happened since 2012.

Who's up next for Scotland?

Scotland, meanwhile, face Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday 19 June, then play Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday 23 June.

Who is up next for Germany?

Having opened up with three points in such emphatic fashion, Germany now face Hungary in Stuttgart on Wednesday 19 June, before closing out their group stage with a clash against Switzerland in Frankfurt on Sunday 23 June.

Germans take big step to knockouts

Given that the best third-placed finishers also go through these days, Germany's win leaves them on the verge of the last 16 already.

So far under the 24-team format at the Euros, four points has always been enough to at least qualify in third place. Some sides have even managed it with three.

As for Scotland: that was a truly dreadful night, but the fact that only eight teams are eliminated in the group stage means they're very much still in it. Whether they can pick themselves up from that drubbing is another matter, though.

Full-time thoughts: Germany 5-1 Scotland

Once Wirtz gave Germany the lead in the 10th minute, things just got worse and worse for Scotland.

The Germans breezed to a record opening-game victory, with Musiala, Havertz, Füllkrug and Can adding a further four for the hosts. Scotland's goose was pretty much cooked from the moment Musiala made it two - and the jig was definitely up when Ryan Porteous was sent off for the foul that led to Havertz's goal from the penalty spot.

No team has ever won by a four-goal margin in the opening game of a European Championship. Scotland made it very easy for Germany, but one nonetheless suspects that bookmakers may be furiously shortening Germany's odds of winning a fourth continental crown.

Peeep peeep peeep! That will be that in Munich, where Germany have given Scotland a walloping.

Germany pop the ball about in the Scotland half, to a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland from the visiting fans.

Quality Kroos

Kroos had a 100% pass-completion rate at half time, but then let himself down badly by losing the ball once in the second 45.

There what sound like ironic chants of "you're not singing anymore" from the Scottish fans.

Three minutes of time added on in Munich.

That goal, at least, means Scotland won't have the outright record for the biggest defeat in a Euros opener. As things stand, at least.

They're now back level with Turkey, who also lost by three goals three years ago. They were beaten 3-0 by Italy.

Again Sané cuts inside from the right and surges into a shooting position.

Arriving at the top of the 'D', Sané lets fly - but fires well over.

Füllkrug on fire

As our friends at SofaScore point out, Niclas Füllkrug has quite the scoring record for the Germany national team.

Sané cuts inside from the right, and shoots from the corner of the box. But his strike is pretty tame, and flies right into Gunn's arms.

Scotland replace Christie with Lawrence Shankland.

Kroos is off, to huge applause - and the Scotland fans applaud him, too. Emre Can, who wasn't originally in the Germany squad for these Euros, is on for the veteran.

Can Müller score his first goal at a European Championship?

He has a presentable chance there, when Kimmich heads it across the box for him. Müller can't direct his header goalwards, however.

Müller has 10 goals in his World Cup career, but has never found the net at the Euros.

Scotland replace Tierney with Scott McKenna.

Germany goal disallowed

Füllkrug is indeed deemed to have been offside, and that fifth Germany goal is chalked off.

Ah, hold on. VAR is having a look at it - and Füllkrug does appear to be offside when that cross comes in.

Four-star Germany make history

According to Mister Chip, this is the first time in Euro finals history that Germany have been four goals ahead in a game.

Thomas Müller is on for Germany, for yet another international cap. I make it 130 now. He replaces Bayern team-mate Musiala, who gets a deserved ovation as he departs.

This really couldn't have gone any better for Germany. It's been a truly horrible night for Scotland.

Twenty minutes remain in Munich - and the Scots would not complain if Clément Turpin blew for full time right now.

Scotland make a double change. Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean are on for McGregor and McGinn.

Mitttelstädt shoots over!

Kroos' right-wing corner is headed away, only as far as Mittelstädt. He doesn't need a second invitation before sending a half volley back towards Gunn's goal - but it's well over.

Right away, Germany create a very presentable chance for Sané to get on the scoresheet.

It's worked to the right to the Bayern winger, who has space to tear forward into the Scotland box. He tries to fool Gunn with his finish, I think, by shaping for a far-post shot then sending it towards the near post. He doesn't do a very good job of it, though, and Gunn keeps his shot out with ease.

Here come those Germany substitutions. Wirtz and Havertz come off to deserved ovations, with Niclas Füllkrug and Leroy Sané on.

Tah is booked for a late foul on Christie.

Germany are about to make a change or two, I believe.

Rüdiger chips forward a through ball in search of Havertz's run forward, but the Arsenal forward can't gather. Gunn is off his line to snuff out the danger.

Again Musiala slices through the Scotland defence on the left.

Gunn gets a leg to the Bayern man's low cross into the six-yard area - and the ball flies right to the feet of Gündogan.

Gündogan quickly digs out a shot from 12 yards or so out, but it's blocked! Scotland have been pretty much reduced to trying to avoid any further damage.

Close from Wirtz!

Musiala scampers towards the Scotland byline, before laying it back for Mittelstädt to cross.

His ball flies over everyone and lands at Wirtz's feet at the far post, but he can only poke it just over the crossbar!

To roars of "shoot" from the home fans, Gross lets fly from 25 yards or so out, but his effort is blocked.

Scotland get it clear, but right away the Germans are back in possession and on the attack again.

"Welcome to the club"

Craig Burley - who, as I mentioned earlier, was the last Scotland player to be sent off at a major tournament - has sent this message to Ryan Porteous:

Scotland's Andy Robertson (right) fights for the ball with Germany defender Joshua Kimmich at the Allianz Arena.

Back come the Germans. 

Wirtz buzzes in from the left and plays it square to Gündogan at the top of the box.

Gündogan looks right and clips a ball... to nobody. It dribbles out for a Scotland goal-kick.

This does, unfortunately for Scotland, look nicely set up for Germany to score a hatful if they want to.

That's a fine long-range attempt by Rüdiger, who sends a low, bouncing strike towards Gunn's right-hand corner. Gunn gets down quickly to turn it behind.

From the right, Kimmich prods it forward towards Musiala, but the forward can't reach his club-mate's ball. 

Scotland look to break at pace, feeding it towards Christie on the halfway line, but Rüdiger easily beats Christie to the ball. Germany win it right back.

Ralston brings Wirtz down on the halfway line, as the Leverkusen youngster leads the German counter. Turpin brandishes a yellow card.

McTominay blasts the ball low towards the six-yard box, but it's cleared at the near post.

Right away, Christie and Rüdiger collide as the former chases Robertson's throw-in, and Scotland are awarded a free-kick on the left wing.

Peeep! We're back underway at the Allianz Arena.

Both teams are making half-time changes.

For the hosts, Pascal Gross is on for Andrich. For Scotland, defender Grant Hanley is on to fill the void left by Porteous. Adams is off.

Porteous joins six-man red-card club

Porteous is the sixth player to be sent off in the opening game of a European Championship finals.

"A horror foul from Ryan Porteous"

This is Athletic soccer journalist Colin Millar's take on that Porteous foul:

Scotland nightmares "all coming true"

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, former Scotland international Pat Nevin has offered this assessment: "The nightmares you have at the back of your mind if you’re the Scotland manager or fan are all coming true now."

Nevin added: "Steve Clarke has a huge job at half-time. What on earth do you do? Germany have been miles ahead in every single department."

Trademark Toni

Toni Kroos, meanwhile, has been busy being Toni Kroos.

Scotland's X-rated xG

Scotland's xG in that first half was precisely zero.

Porteous follows in Burley footsteps

Ryan Porteous has become the first Scotland player to be sent off at a major tournament since Craig Burley at the 1998 World Cup.

Kai Havertz wheels away in celebration after scoring Germany's third goal.

Peeep peeep peeep!

A Scotland free-kick is sent into the Germany box, but the hosts clear - and Clément Turpin blows for half time in Munich. 

Germany are absolutely cruising to victory. That was a nightmare half for the Scots.

We're into the third of three minutes of time added on at the Allianz Arena.

And, to make things worse for Scotland, Porteous is sent off for the challenge.

This first half really could not have gone any worse for the Scots.

Penalty for Germany!

Ah, I think we're going to have a penalty for Germany.

As Gündogan and Porteous challenged for the ball in the wake of the midfielder's header, the defender absolutely cleans Gündogan out. Turpin is across to watch the incident, and the outcome is pretty clear.

Gündogan goes close to a third! 

Kimmich lifts the ball into the middle, where Gündogan heads towards goal. Gunn parries, and Havertz can't quite turn the loose ball in from point-blank range.

Gündogan and Porteous have both hurt themselves.

70% possession for Germany, according to the latest Opta count available to me. 

Wirtz carries it forward down the left, before cutting inside and playing it back to Gündogan at the top of the box. Gündogan, in turn, feeds it right to Rüdiger, who clips it into the box - but his ball flies straight into Gunn's arms.

Scotland win a free-kick in the right-hand channel. Can Steve Clarke's men claw a goal back from a set piece?

No, at least not on this occasion. McTominay lifts it high towards Porteous at the far post, where the defender gets his head to it. Porteous' header drops right to a white shirt, though, and the Germans clear.

Here, courtesy of Mister Chip, is the updated list of the opening goalscorer at every Euros.

Scotland finally win the ball back and get themselves over the halfway line.

When they working it left to McGinn, he lifts it high towards Adams' run into the box - but the striker is surrounded by white shirts and can't get close to it.

Germany are stroking the ball about with real confidence. As ever, Kroos is at the heart of it all.

Scotland are struggling to get a sniff right now.

There was the odd flicker of attacking threat from Scotland before they went behind, but there has been nothing since then.

Wirtz lifts it high to Havertz, who turns it on to Musiala - but clearly does so with his arm.

Musiala proceeds to thump the ball into the net, but the play had been stopped. Free-kick to Scotland.

Andrich becomes the first player to be booked at Euro 2024, and it's about as deserved a yellow card as you'll ever see. 

He scythes McTominay down, and Monsieur Turpin quickly brandishes a yellow.

Buoyed by their team's two-goal lead, the home fans are making plenty of noise.

Musiala drives forward over the halfway line, and McGregor has to foul him to stop him in his tracks.

Half an hour played, and this could pretty not much not have gone any better for Germany, or worse for Scotland.

There are four Germany players around the ball. Havertz is finally the one who strikes it, but it's a tame effort. Gunn gathers his shot with ease.

Penalty overturned!

Instead of a penalty, it'll be a free-kick right, right on the edge of the box.

Hmmm. It's hard to tell which of Tierney or Christie brought Musiala down, and whether it actually took place inside the box.

The video assistant is having a look at it...

Penalty to Germany!

This is turning into an absolute horror show for Scotland. Christie and Tierney bring Musiala down as the German drives into the Scottish box, and Clément Turpin has no hesitation in pointing to the spot!

Musiala and Wirtz make Euros history

According to Opta, this is the first time that two players aged 21 or under have scored in a European Championship match.

On the touchline, Steve Clarke points at his head in a keep-calm-and-carry-on gesture.

Andrich tries to release Wirtz behind the Scotland defence, but Gunn races out of his box to boot it away.

Nagelsmann breaks Euros record

By the way: as Spanish soccer stats guru Mister Chip points out, Julian Nagelsmann is the youngest head coach in the history of the European Championship finals.

Scotland work it to Tierney on the halfway line, but just as he looks set to launch an attack, he miscontrols and allows Rüdiger to win the ball back.

Christie is left in a heap on the turf after colliding with Andrich - who did everything he could to make that collision happen.

Christie is eventually back up on his feet, and looks like he's OK.

How can Scotland react to that early blow?

McTominay looks to drive forward, but is dispossessed and Germany take control of possession once more.

Again Germany knock it about in the Scotland half, with Kroos at the controls of the engine room.

They finally work it right to Havertz, who can't find a way through. Scotland clear.

With Scotland sitting on the edge of their box, Germany pop it about for a good couple of minutes inside the Scottish half.

Having edged closer and closer to the danger area, though, the Germans lose it when Andrich miscontrols.

Back come Scotland, again with Robertson leading the charge. His ball forward is too long, though, and the chance is lost.

For the first time, Scotland get a chance to push forward into the Germany half.

Collecting a loose ball on the left, Robertson looks to burst past Rüdiger, but the Real Madrid defender blocks his path towards goal. 

It'll be a throw-in for Scotland, but when it's launched up towards the Germany box, the hosts clear.

Musiala tries to create something down the right, scuttling into a position deep in the Scotland half. However, Tierney does very well to outmuscle the Germany youngster, and wins a goal-kick. Tierney's efforts earn huge roars of approval from the Scottish fans inside the Allianz Arena.

By the way, Gunn's father was part of a team that beat a German side in Munich.

In the second round of the 1993/94 UEFA Cup, Bryan Gunn's Norwich City beat Bayern 2-1 at the old Olympiastadion, before finishing the job with a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Right away, Germany get Wirtz in behind the Scotland defence and scampering into the box at pace.

Gunn is quickly off his line to narrow the angle and parry. Ah, but Wirtz was offside, anyway. 

Peeep! We're underway in Munich!

A reminder of the Germany and Scotland teams

Before we get going in Munich, here's a last look at the line-ups.

Germany:

Neuer, Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt, Andrich, Kroos, Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz, Havertz

Scotland:

Gunn, Hendry, Porteous, Tierney, Ralston, McGregor, McTominay, Robertson, Christie, McGinn, Adams

Almost time to go!

The German anthem follows, and then its handshakes time. Kick-off is almost here.

Anthems time!

It's Flower of Scotland first, and the Scottish fans do not disappoint. A deafening, passionate rendition.

Who is the referee for Germany vs Scotland?

France's Clément Turpin, a man with plenty of experience of the big occasion, will be the match referee.

The VAR will be Turpin's countryman Jérôme Brisard.

Here, courtesy of UEFA's social-media team, is a photo of the opening ceremony.

Henri Delaunay Trophy makes its entrance

Before the teams come out, the late Franz Beckenbauer's wife, Heidi, emerges onto the pitch with the European Championship trophy, the Henri Delaunay Trophy, in her hands.

She's accompanied by Germany greats Jürgen Klinsmann and Bernard Dietz, who were the captains the last two times Die Mannschaft won the Euros.

Dietz and Klinsmann take it in turns to lift the trophy, to huge cheers. A lovely moment.

Teams in the tunnel!

The dancing and flag-waving is over, and the teams are waiting to come out onto pitch at the Allianz Arena!

The backing music briefly included what sounded like a remix of O-Zone's "Dragostea Din Tei", which I have to confess is one of my guilty pleasures.

The dancers, some of whom are wearing suits with a design that mimics the patches of a football, now waving flags around and have unfurled banners bearing the names of each of the host cities.

10 minutes to kick-off in Munich!

So far, we've been treated to a large troupe of brightly-coloured dancers boogying on the large white canvass that's covering the pitch. That's about the best I can do by way of describing what I'm seeing.

Opening ceremony about to begin!

The opening ceremony is just about upon us. To be honest, I find these things an utterly tedious hurdle to be overcome before we get to the football, so you'll forgive me if I don't recount it with unbridled enthusiasm.

Having said all that, it'll be very nice to see the tributes paid to the great Franz Beckenbauer.

Opta opting for Germany victory

Opta are certainly expecting a home win today. The stats specialists' 'super computer' gives Germany a 70.4% chance of victory at the Allianz Arena, while Scotland's prospects of three points are rated at just 12.2%.

What is Scotland’s record in opening games?

Scotland have never won their opening game at a European Championship.

They lost 1-0 to Netherlands in 1992, drew 0-0 with the Dutch four years later, and lost 2-0 to the Czech Republic at Euro 2020.

Across 11 appearances at all major tournaments, the Scots have won their opening game on two occasions, at World Cups 1974 and 1978 (2-0 vs Zaire in ’74, 5-2 vs New Zealand in ’78).

"Cheats!"

Since that victory in Bremen, it's been three defeats and one draw for the Scots in games against Germany.

The first of those defeats, a 2-1 loss in Euro 2004 qualifying in Dortmund, brought this forthright piece of post-game analysis by Scotland defender Christian Dailly:

When did Scotland last beat Germany?

That was 25 years ago, in a friendly in Bremen. In April 1999, Don Hutchison scored on his full debut for Scotland, to give Craig Brown's men a 1-0 win.

How many times have Germany and Scotland met at major finals?

This will be the countries' third clash at a major tournament finals. The Germans have won both so far.

In the group stage of the 1986 World Cup, West Germany were 2-1 winners over a Scottish side coached by Alex Ferguson. Gordon Strachan’s early goal gave the Scots a surprise lead, before Rudi Völler and Klaus Allofs turned that game around.

Six years later, at Euro '92, goals by Karl-Heinz Riedle and Stefan Effenberg gave a unified Germany a 2-0 group-stage victory.

Strachan's goal in '86 was an absolute belter; but the less said about the celebration, the better:

What is Germany and Scotland's head-to-head record?

Tonight’s game will be Germany and Scotland’s ninth competitive meeting.

As yet, the Germans are yet to lose: their competitive record against the Scots P8 W6 D2 L0.

Germany have won the teams’ last three encounters, all of which were Euros qualifiers. Most recently, Die Mannschaft won 3-2 at Hampden in October 2015.

I have to say, I'm a big fan of this Scotland kit. Real Euro '96 vibes.

Warm-ups underway in Munich!

Germany's Ilkay Gündogan waves to the crowd as the teams warm-up ahead of kick-off.

What the coaches said: Steve Clarke

Beckenbauer tribute in opening ceremony

By the way, tonight’s Euro 2024 opening ceremony to pay tribute to Germany great Franz Beckenbauer, who died aged 78 in January.

Beckenbauer was West Germany’s World Cup-winning captain in 1974, and also skippered the team to the 1972 European Championship. As a coach, he steered the Germans to victory at the 1990 World Cup, and is one of just three men to have won the tournament on the pitch and in the dugout.

Germany’s two living European Championship-winning captains, Bernard Dietz (1980) and Jürgen Klinsmann (1996), will be joined by Beckenbauer’s wife, Heidi, as they bring the Henri Delaunay Trophy out onto the pitch pre-match.

What the coaches said: Julian Nagelsmann

Scotland's last five results

7 June: Scotland 2-2 Finland (friendly)
3 June: Gibraltar 0-2 Scotland (friendly)
26 March: Scotland 0-1 N. Ireland (friendly)
22 March: Netherlands 4-0 Scotland (friendly)
19 November: Scotland 3-3 Norway (Euro qualifying)

Finland frustration for Scots

Most recently, the Scots gave up a two goal lead as they were held by Finland at Hampden a week ago.

The home team looked set to enjoy the perfect Euros send-off when Arttu Hoskonen's own goal was followed by a second by Lawrence Shankland; however, late strikes by Benjamin Källman and Oliver Antman earned the Finns a draw in Glasgow.

What has Scotland's recent form been like?

While Germany’s form has started to show signs of picking up, Scotland’s has slightly gone in the other direction.

On their way to reaching the Euros as Group A runners-up, Steve Clarke’s men won their first five games in qualifying. That run included a famous 2-0 home win over the Spaniards.

However, since beating Cyprus 3-0 in September, the Scots have only won once in nine games in all competitions. And that victory was a 2-0 win over Gibraltar, ranked 203rd in the world.

A trio of changes for Scotland

Clarke makes three changes to the Scotland team that drew 2-2 with Finland in their final friendly before Euro 2024.

Ryan Porteous, Scott McTominay and Che Adams come into the team in Munich, with Grant Hanley, Billy Gilmour and Lawrence Shankland making way.

Confirmed Scotland line-up

Scotland have just confirmed their line-up in Munich. Steve Clarke has gone with: Gunn; Hendry, Porteous, Tierney; Ralston, McGregor, McTominay, Robertson; Christie, McGinn, Adams.

Germany line-up confirmed

The Germany team has been announced! It is: Neuer, Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt, Andrich, Kroos, Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz, Havertz.

The Germans are unchanged from the team that squeaked past Greece a week ago.

Germany's last five results

7 June: Germany 2-1 Greece (friendly)
3 June: Germany 0-0 Ukraine (friendly)
26 March: Germany 2-1 Netherlands (friendly)
23 March: France 0-2 Germany (friendly)
21 Nov: Austria 2-0 Germany (friendly)

Germans heartened by big-name wins

Of late, things have picked up a bit for Germany, though.

The Euro 2024 hosts beat France and Netherlands in March friendlies, and are now unbeaten in the four games they have played since losing to Austria in November.

That said, the Germans’ final two tournament warm-ups were less than stellar. They were held to a goalless draw by Ukraine on 3 June, before scraping to a 2-1 win over Greece four days later. 

Having fallen behind in Mönchengladbach, Nagelsmann's men needed second-half goals by Kai Havertz and Pascal Gross - the second in the last minute - to edge past the Greeks.

Nagelsman in for Flick amid disastrous 2023

The Germans’ form since World Cup 2022 hasn’t been very good, either. They lost six games in 11 in 2023.

According to Opta, that equates to a 55% loss ratio that is their worst percentage in a calendar year since the 1950s.

Those six defeats included 4-1 thrashing by Japan and 2-0 loss to neighbours Austria - both at home, to boot.

Having also overseen Germany’s early exit at World Cup 2022, Hansi Flick was sacked as head coach after the Japan defeat in September, and replaced by Julian Nagelsmann.

Germany's opening-game woes

Now here’s a stat that will be a sight for sore Scottish eyes. On their three-tournament run of dire form, Germany have been beaten in their opening game each time.

Die Mannschaft began their World Cup 2018 campaign with a 1-0 defeat by Mexico, and were beaten 1-0 by France in their first game of Euro 2020. 

In 2022, the Germans then went down 2-1 to Japan in their World Cup opener, late goals by Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano earning the Samurai Blue a dramatic come-from-behind win in Al Rayyan.

Incandescent Kai

Germany's World Cup exit in Qatar, incidentally, gave us one of those wonderful photos of a seething player picking up the man of the match award.

On this occasion it was Kai Havertz who made no attempt to smile for the cameras, having netted twice in the Germans' futile win over Costa Rica in their final group game. Oh, fantastic stuff.

Can Germany rediscover tournament mojo?

If Germany are to continue their good record as tournament hosts, though, they will have to halt their dire recent run at major finals.

They haven’t made it through a tournament knockout game since they beat Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Eight years ago!

They then lost to France in the semis, before going out of the 2018 World Cups at the group stage. The Germans were then beaten by England in the last 16 of Euro 2020, before again exiting the World Cup at the first hurdle in 2022. 

What is Germany's record as tournament hosts?

Germany have traditionally done well at major tournaments on home soil. As sole tournament hosts, indeed, they have never failed to reach semi-finals.  

As West Germany, they were World Cup winners when they staged the event in 1974, and - as mentioned earlier - reached the last four as Euro ’88 hosts.

Most recently, and for the first time as a unified Germany, Die Mannschaft were the home team at a major tournament in the 2006 World Cup. As at Euro '88, they made it to the semis before losing to the eventual winners; on this occasion, Italy.

Who are the Euro 2024 favourites? Betting odds

Germany, whose coach Julian Nagelsmann is also less than a year into the job, are rated as third favourites. They’re most commonly priced at +550, Oddschecker says.

The Germans are ahead of Portugal (+650) and Spain (+700 to +800), with France second favourites at +390 to +400.

England, despite the justified question marks that surround the state of their defence, are the tournament favourites at +350 to +375, per Oddschecker.

Bookies not backing Italy to retain Euro title

Only one team has ever won back-to-back European titles - Spain in 2008 and 2012 - and Italy aren’t highly fancied to emulate the Spaniards.

Having missed their second straight World Cup in 2022, and with Luciano Spalletti under a year into his tenure as coach, Italy are only the sixth favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy this year.

Per Oddschecker, Italy are rated at between +1400 and +1600 to be crowned champions in Berlin in a month’s time.

Italy out to defend continental crown

Italy, of course, are the defending champions.

In 2021, the Azzurri lifted their second title at the covid-delayed Euro 2020, beating England on penalties despite the Three Lions having home advantage.

The Italians also won the European Championship in 1968. 

EURO 2024

Who won the last European Championship and which country has the most titles?

The Germans' haul of three European Championship titles is a record they hold jointly with Spain, who were winners in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

For more on the Euros' most successful nations, check out this look back over the past 16 editions of the tournament.

How many times have Germany hosted the Euros?

This will be the second time that Germany have been the sole hosts of the Euros. While still competing as West Germany, they staged the event in 1988.

Coached by the late Franz Beckenbauer, Die Mannschaft were beaten by the Netherlands, the eventual winners, in the semi-finals.

Having dispatched the hosts in the last four, the Dutch lifted their only major trophy with a 2-0 win over the USSR - a victory best remembered for this absolute snorter of a volley by Marco van Basten:

Who else has qualified for Euro 2024?

The full tournament line-up is as follows. The field features one Euros debutant in Georgia, who reached their first ever major tournament finals by beating Luxembourg and Greece in the play-offs.

Group A

Germany
Scotland
Hungary 
Switzerland

Group B

Spain
Croatia
Italy
Albania

Group C

Slovenia
Denmark
Serbia
England

Group D

Poland
Netherlands
Austria 
France

Group E

Belgium
Slovakia
Romania
Ukraine

Group F

Turkey
Georgia
Portugal
Czech Republic

How many times have Germany and Scotland been at Euros?

Hosts Germany will be competing at their 14th European Championship finals - a record. They haven't been absent since missing the first three editions, in 1960, 1964 and 1968.

The Germans have won the tournament three times: in 1972 and 1980 as West Germany, and once post-unification, in 1996.

Scotland, meanwhile, are at the Euros for the fourth time. They are yet to progress beyond the group stage; indeed, the Scots have never qualified from the round-robin stage of any major tournament.

EURO 2024

Who is playing at UEFA Euro 2024? Format, teams, groups, fixtures, dates…

With 24 teams competing for 16 knockout-stage places, the Euros' round-robin stage has become a relatively user-friendly affair. Not only do the top two in each group qualify for the last 16, but the four best third-placed finishers go through, too.

In essence, the group stage now boils down to this: get four points, and you're pretty much certain to advance.

To find out more about the Euro 2024 format, check out this piece by my colleagues Roddy Cons and Calum Roche.

Twenty-four teams gunning for glory in Germany

The last time the Scots travelled abroad for a Euros finals, it was just an eight-team tournament: two groups of four, two semi-finals, and a final. (And it had originally been even smaller, with just four nations taking part in its first five editions.)

Now, having involved 16 teams between 1996 and 2012, the European Championship is a 24-team event. Its most recent expansion came in 2016. Personally, I thought it was a tauter, higher-quality tournament in its 16-team era, but that's by the by.

Here's another photo of the travelling Scottish fans enjoying themselves - and a couple of steins of beer, by the looks of things - before tonight's game.

Your wee bit hill and glen, and stood against him...

Speaking of Flower of Scotland, I have to say I'm mildly obsessed with this YouTube video of the Scottish supporters absolutely belting out their national anthem in Germany 10 years ago, before a Euros qualifier against Die Mannschaft.

You can see the moment where the German fans' heads turn, as if to say: Bloody hell, the Scots are giving it some welly. 

Party atmosphere in Munich

It's lovely weather in Munich, where German and Scottish fans have been enjoying each other's company ahead of today's curtain-raiser. Just over 20 degrees C and blazing sunshine.

Here, courtesy of The Telegraph's Sam Dean, is a video of the Scots booming out a rendition of Flower of Scotland in Marienplatz, in the centre of Munich.

Tartan Army out in full force in Bavaria

An estimated 200,000 Scots were expected in Munich for today’s Euro 2024 opener - that’s just under 4% of the country’s population!

Scotland's Euros McGoalscorers

Paul McStay, Brian McClair and Gary McCallister were on target for Scotland in that win over the CIS - and all the nation's other goals at the Euros have also been scored by someone whose surname starts with "Mc".

Aside from those three goals at Euro '92, Scotland have netted twice at the tournament: through Ally McCoist in 1996, and Callum McGregor in 2021.

Scotland's first overseas Euros match in 34 years

Today’s Group A clash in Bavaria will be Scotland's first European Championship finals game outside the UK for over three decades.

Since a 3-0 win over the CIS at Sweden ’92, the six games that the Scots have played at the Euros have either been in England (three at Euro ’96 and one at Euro 2020) or on home soil (two at Euro 2020).

Not the Scots' first tournament opener

The last time Scotland travelled abroad for a major finals, they also opened up the tournament against big-name opposition.

The Scots faced defending champions Brazil in the first game of World Cup ’98 - and very nearly took a point off the South Americans. 

At Paris' Stade de France, John Collins’ penalty late in the first half cancelled out César Sampaio’s early header for the Brazilians. However, with only a quarter of an hour left in the French capital, Jim Leighton parried Cafu's shot right into the chest of Tom Boyd, and the ball trickled into the Scotland net for the unluckiest of own goals.

The way Cafu wheeled away in celebration, by the way, you'd think he'd just hoofed one into the top corner from 40 yards.

Euro 2024 kick-off: welcome!

At the World Cup just over a year and a half ago, the prospect of an opening game between Qatar and Ecuador was hardly one to set pulses racing.

But today's Euro 2024 curtain-raiser, between Germany and Scotland, is a different story. The tournament's heavyweight hosts against a historic, passionate footballing nation making its first appearance at an overseas major finals for 26 years? Ja, bitte.

Kick-off at Munich's Allianz Arena is three hours away. Those three hours cannot pass quickly enough.