Germany thrash Scotland in record win

Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz inspired Euro 2024 hosts Germany to the biggest-ever opening game win at a European Championship as Julian Nagelsmann's team inflicted a 5-1 defeat on Scotland.

Musiala and Wirtz, both 21, have been billed as leading Germany's new generation and they scored the opening goals to set the team on course for a victory that was even more comfortable than the eventual scoreline suggests. Scotland's task at avoiding a heavy defeat was made much more difficult following the sending off of defender Ryan Porteous at 42 minutes following a studs-up challenge on Ílkay Gündogan that, after a VAR review, resulted in a Germany penalty and a red card for the Watford player.

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Germany had gone into the tournament behind France, England and Portugal as favourites to emerge as winners following a turbulent period under Nagelsmann and his sacked predecessor Hansi Flick. Group stage exits at the previous two World Cups, and a round-of-16 elimination against England at Euro 2020, had left Germany fearing a difficult tournament as they attempt to become European champions for the first time since 1996. But the tension and apprehension among the home supporters evaporated within the first 10 minutes, as Bayer Leverkusen youngster Wirtz netted the opening goal following neat buildup play between Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan and Joshua Kimmich.

Germany were convincing winners over Scotland in the opening game of Euro 2024, scoring five times in a comfortable display that sets the tone for what's to come. DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images

Bayern Munich forward Musiala then doubled Germany's lead in the 19th minute after linking with Kai Havertz and while the points already looked safe at 2-0, Germany made sure when Havertz scored from the penalty spot following the Porteous foul on Gundogan.

Down to 10 men and with two group games against Switzerland and Hungary to come, Scotland coach Steve Clarke went for damage limitation in the second half by replacing forward Ché Adams with defender Grant Hanley. The change helped stem the tide, even if Scotland continued to be dominated by the hosts. Niclas Füllkrug finally netted a fourth for Germany in the 68th minute and the Borussia Dortmund forward thought he had made it 5-0 moments later, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

An Antonio Rüdiger own goal in the 87th minute gave the sizable contingent of Scotland fans something to cheer -- and they did so in exaggerated fashion -- before Emre Can capped a brutal defeat, scoring Germany's fifth in the final minute of stoppage time. -- Mark Ogden

Sights and sounds around Euro 2024

Mbappémania comes to Germany

MUNICH -- The France squad trained in front of 4,000 fans on Thursday at Paderborn SC's stadium in the west of the country, 15 minutes from where they are staying in Bad Lippspringe.

There was clearly only one player they came to see: Kylian Mbappé. However, the Real Madrid forward didn't train as he had some back and knee pains. Nothing for coach Didier Deschamps to worry about, but enough for him to stay inside with the physios for treatment before coming out to watch the last half-hour of the training session. When he appeared on the touchline, the stadium went wild.

According to the French football federation, 100,000 ticket requests were made for this open session, and the 4,000 that were available were gone in four minutes. Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé got a few cheers but the France captain, who had a huge smile on his face all afternoon, was undoubtedly the star attraction. He stayed behind to take photos and sign autographs to the delight of dozens of young fans who chanted his name. -- Julien Laurens

England draw inspiration from Kim Kardashian. Wait, what?

BLANKENHAIN, Germany -- England's pursuit of marginal gains in their quest for a first men's trophy in 58 years has led them to follow a path taken by Kim Kardashian, Prince Harry and Jennifer Aniston. No, seriously.

The Three Lions have been spotted wearing Oura Rings, a wellness tracker endorsed by a number of celebrities, during their opening training sessions at the Weimarer Land Spa & Golf Resort.

Costing $299 to $549 for the ring, plus a $5.99 monthly subscription fee, the gadget helps monitor sleep, body temperature and heart rate variability. Manager Gareth Southgate has also been pictured wearing one on his index finger.

The company -- which counts the U.S. Army among its clients -- claims on its website that users experience 87% improved overall health. England will be believers if it helps a squad entering Euro 2024 with various issues finally bring football home. -- James Olley

Scotland's Tartan Army go on the march

MUNICH -- Scotland ended a 23-year wait to play at a major tournament by appearing at the COVID-19-delayed Euro 2020 in 2021, but with two games in Scotland and one played in front of just 22,500 fans at Wembley in a restricted-capacity fixture due to restrictions at the time, the Tartan Army were unable to travel abroad in their usual big numbers.

It's fair to say they made up for lost time in Germany, with UEFA expecting over 100,000 Scots to travel for the group stage. But that number appears to be a significant underestimate. Train stations and airports have been turned dark blue by the huge influx of kilt-wearing Scotland fans, and Munich's bars, cafes, restaurants and even the Englischer Garten in the city were overtaken.

Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage of a World Cup or Euros, so if they manage it this time, it could signal the biggest mass movement of Scots since the Braveheart days. -- Ogden

Italy allowed to play games but must be serious with officials

DORTMUND -- Italy's buildup to the Euros has been dominated by talk of a PlayStation ban. Coach Luciano Spalletti has been critical of the players staying up late into the night playing Call of Duty, and has previously told the squad to leave their video games at home.

But on the eve of the tournament, Spalletti looked visibly frustrated by suggestions he had issued a blanket ban on the team gaming while at the Euros. He said such suggestions were "not fair and not true" and even revealed that he had been enjoying playing on the team's two PlayStations at their training base in Iserlohn.

Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, meanwhile, laughed at the reports and is instead focused on leading his team into the Euros. One challenge facing Donnarumma will be organising the team's communication with the referee at the Euros. A UEFA decree says only the captain will be allowed to talk to the referee around key match decisions or VAR clarifications.

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Keep up to date with all the results, news coverage and stories on the biggest names and teams in Germany as the tournament progresses. Euro 2024

"[UEFA managing director for refereeing Roberto] Rosetti and his team have informed players and coaches that referees will open a line of dialogue with team captains during matches to offer information and explain key decisions, including what is discussed with Video Assistant Referees (VARs)," a statement from UEFA reads. "Only the captain, or a designated outfield player if the captain is a goalkeeper, should speak with the referee during these clarifications. Other players must respect the referee, keep their distance and not surround match officials, with instances of aggression and dissent to be dealt with firmly."

Donnarumma will discuss with fellow senior players on Saturday who will be the nominated player to talk with the referee if a decision happens at the opposite end of the field to Italy's goal. -- Tom Hamilton

Swiss cheesed off by training base

COLOGNE -- Switzerland's Euros campaign is off to a bad start after complaints that their training base isn't up to scratch.

Coach Murat Yakin and his squad are training at the home of lower-league German club Stuttgarter Kickers on the outskirts of Stuttgart and have had to contact UEFA about the state of the pitch.

The surface at Waldau Stadium was relaid in preparation for Switzerland's arrival, but coaching staff and players have complained that it's substandard.

UEFA has offered Switzerland alternative venues, including Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart's training complex, but staff are conscious that they don't want players travelling too much before and after training.

The Swiss football association has told UEFA it intends to keep using Waldau Stadium so that the team can prepare for its first match on Saturday. -- Rob Dawson

Stat of the day

Kylian Mbappé is now a Real Madrid player, and the Spanish club's all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most goals in European Championship history (14), but no player has ever won the Golden Boot at a Euros finals while playing their club football for Los Blancos.

Portugal captain Ronaldo finished in a tie for most goals at Euro 2012 as a Real Madrid player, but Fernando Torres won the award on a tiebreaker.