I thought Scotland was capable of a 1-1 result but for Germany to lose a Euro opener as host to them would’ve been outrageous. Like Scotland over Netherlands in 1978 WC outrageous.
I always thought Germany would win but thought it would be a much tighter game. Scotland rarely ship so many goals. They were so poor and just let Germany dictate the game, they didn't even create a chance. Once they were down to 10 men it was damage limitation. Also Germany have been very poor recently aside from the last international break but this win will give them some confidence and given their half of the draw I wouldn't bet against them making the final
The trouble for Scotland is that they have no pace in behind, so not threat at all of them bypassing Germany's midfield. They either had to play through it or nothing, so they got nothing.
Congrats on the win buddy. Always good for the host nation to start well. Shame Scotland were so bad, they are or should be far better than that, but you did what you needed to do and dispatched them well.
I think you'll do well this tournament. Could have come out really nervous like the last few tournaments but it looks like you have your swagger back and having Kroos will really help too (although he was there at Euro 2020 too..) some people really hyping up England to be favourites but IMO Germany look a very balanced and more rounded side than us and critically have a good midfield.
102 passes, 101 completed. 99% accuracy. pic.twitter.com/EeSQoe3ZBm— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2024
Scotland playing with a high line to start off is what killed them on top of allowing Kroos to run the game and having space to play in the attackers. Germany were also a bad matchup because they flood the midfield and press aggressively, which a lot of teams don't like especially Scotland. Horrible tactics by Steve Clark, but also well done to Germany for executing.
Scotland should've just sat back from the onset and parked the bus. As negative as that was it would've mitigated a lot of cracks and given them a better chance to counter-attack, but as displayed by some of you already, they lacked those counter-attacking qualities.
Thought it would be tight as well, but also didn't think Scotland would be so open with their high line. That was the game and it killed them.
The attacking talent England has amassed is insane, along with their recent form (Foden, Kane, Bellingham). They could maybe be a bit more stout in defense. And in the knockout stages avoid pen shootouts at all costs!
Adrien Rabiot (29) and William Saliba (23) are set to start for France against Austria. (L'Éq)https://t.co/MPk5y1zX1v— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 14, 2024
You think that's bad...England didn't win one between 2006-2018 - 12 years between World Cup 2006 in Germany and Russia 2018, without a win in a knockout stage. It's easily the worst consistent period in the history of the England national team. Even though they didn't qualify for a world cup in the 70's, it was harder back then. There were less teams, and just qualifying for World Cup/Euro finals was tougher.
I think most teams would have struggled with how well and relentlessly Germany pressed yesterday but that was one of the most bizarre tactical set ups i've seen, from Scotland. I have no idea what they were going for. Didn't help that Gunn let in such a soft effort inside 10 minutes of course either. Or Italy who will have 1 world cup game in 20 years come the next world cup.
I don’t know why Scotland didn’t play the system they played against England at the Euros for this game. More bodies higher up to disturb the CB’s rhythm. Kroos was pretty much moving to CB for room.
Just to rub more salt into Scotlands wounds, just got reminded about this beauty which happened on this day back in 1996
Quite alot on social media about Musiala being better then Bellingham after the Scotland game. Can you imagine the stick England fans would get if we started saying Kane was better than Mbappe after a win against Scotland.
The gap between Musiala and Jude is much smaller than the gap between Kane and Mbappe tbf. Jude has got going quicker than Musiala in his career but in three years I don't think there will be a gap.
You think there’s a huge ( or bigger gap I should say ) gap between Kane and Mbappe? Different types of players each with their own qualities but I wouldn’t say the gap is huge imo.
Not huge but pretty big. Main difference being Mbappe can fashion goals and chances for himself to a much greater degree than Kane can.
Maybe because they are talking to a predominantly english audience, but I find McCoist and Nevin to be two of the best pundits around. McCoist wasn't letting his bias cloud his judgment last night. Souness just seems to dislike everybody.