Germany shrugged off any hint of hosting nerves with an emphatic 5-1 win over 10-man Scotland to launch their Euros 2024 campaign in front of a joyous home crowd on Saturday (AEST).

With veteran midfielder Toni Kroos in imperious form, and two 21-year-olds Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz bringing energy and stunning strikes, the Germans raced to a 3-0 lead at halftime as Scotland’s Ryan Porteous saw red for an ugly challenge.

“This is horrendous,” said former Premier League striker Michael Bridges on Optus Sport

Ex-Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, who played club football in Scotland, said: “Porteous has previous in terms of being a little over zealous. It’s an ankle breaker, it’s a terrible, terrible challenge and you just don’t get away with those things. He’s let his team down, he’s let his nation down.”

Kai Havertz stuck away the penalty after Porteous trudged off in first half injury time. The Germans went 4-0 up through Niclas Fullkrug before Scotland, who had just two touches in the German box all game, pulled one back though an Antonio Rudiger own goal.

The Scotland fans erupted after the fortunate goal and teased the Germans with a chant of “you’re not singing anymore.” That was soon drowned out when former Liverpool man Emre Can curled home a shot from the outside if the box to make it 5-1 – Germany’s best ever scoreline at a Euros.

Real Madrid midfielder Kroos was instrumental in a dominant display notching a record of his own.

He completed 101 of 102 passes – or 99% – the highest completion rate on record (since 1980) by any player to attempt 100+ passes in a game at the Euros, according to Opta.

Musiala, who chose to play for Germany over England, was sensational, smashing home a first half goal and being instrumental in Fullkrug’s fourth.

The big victory ended a run of defeats in Germany’s first games at the previous three big tournaments – which led to group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and a last-16 elimination at the pandemic-delayed 2021 Euros. 

Steve Clarke’s Scotland have only one win from their last 10 games and face a uphill battle to get out of the group stage for the first time in their fourth Euros. 

Germany came into the tounament as third favourite behind England and France but laid down a marker with a polished team performance.

On Optus Sport, Bridges praised “the joy of the game. To see the dynamics of that team and how well they did, that was special.

“Oh man, honestly, what a team performance. The dynamics of this team, the way they moved, the way they used Toni Kroos, Scotland had no answer.”

Under the competition format it is possible to advance from third in the group, so Scotland can avoid elimiation with likely four points from their games against Hungary and Switzerland.

Ally McCoist, the last player to score in a Scotland win at the Euros against Switzerland in 1996, told ITV: “Scotland have to change their mentality ahead of their next two games.

“It was poor, Germany excellent, Scotland poor.

“What they did as a front four, starting high then dropping off into pockets of space was something we never handled at all. We never came to terms with Germany’s switch of play.

“Scotland have to get balls into the box, get players forward. There has to be a completely different approach.

“From Scotland’s point of view, it should be slightly easier now as I don’t believe the other two teams will be at the same standard as Germany. They are good teams, but not as good as Germany.”

Scotland captain Andy Robertson, the Liverpool defender, said: “First half, we just got it all wrong really, didn’t show up, weren’t aggressive enough, and we let good players get on the ball.

“Second half, we’re down to 10 men and I thought lads dug in really well.

“We’re so well backed over here, today was hugely disappointing.

“We have to bounce back quickly because there was lots wrong here and it’s a quick turnaround now.

“Maybe it’s a reminder of how tough this tournament is.

“Their big players showed up and were excellent all over the park and had an answer for pretty much everything we had.

“I don’t think we’ve played to our maximum. We have to dust ourselves down and go again.”

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton summed it up succinctly.

“The Scotland fans performed. The players didn’t. They froze on the night,” he said.

“In a game where the Scotland players had to play above expectation and be near-perfect, I have got to say I was really disappointed,” Sutton added

“Scotland were not brave enough for me.

We saw in the qualifying stage against Spain that they can play, they can be brave. But it was like an had an inferiority complex. All the players were below-par and that is the worry.”

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was also surprised by Scotland’s lack of bravery.

“I’m happy, I’m satisfied, it’s not easy to have the first game in our own country,” he said.

“We were brilliant in the first 20 minutes, I was happy with the performance.

“We conceded but at the end it’s okay, it’s a good sign that our players complained about conceding.

“I was kind of surprised that Scotland weren’t that aggressive in first 20 minutes. I think they were surprised by our ball possession, it was very concentrated.

“They then defended deeper and didn’t high press as they have in the qualifying games at times.”