From Braveheart to Trainspotting in 90 mins
Kai Havertz 5-1 Kieran Tierney
Oh dear.
Well, that wasn’t meant to happen for Scotland was it?
The Tartan Army suffered an absolute shellacking at the hands of a lively Germany side on Friday evening, as Steve Clark’s side slumped to the heaviest defeat in a major tournament in seven decades.
The Scots were utterly humiliated as the home nation kick-off their campaign in emphatic style.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side showed excellent movement on and off the ball, powered by Toni Kroos, decorated by Kai Havertz and illuminated by the quick feet and attacking threat of Jamal Musiala. It was a joy to watch. If you weren’t Scottish.
Earlier, tens of thousands of Scotland fans partied in the centre of Munich. A mate of mine has been in the city over the last few days and praised fans for creating a superb atmosphere without a hint of trouble anywhere. Fair play to them.
As ever, it seems Scotland’s off-field presence is always far superior to their performances on the pitch.
The Tartan Army in Munich on Friday night. CREDIT: Henri Hyso
Win or lose we’re on the booze. Scotland fans in Munich on Friday evening. CREDIT: Henri Hyso
Scotland’s humiliation at the hands of Germany was as public as it was stark, the implosion as brutal as it was relentless, the embarrassment played out to hundreds of millions watching on TV around the continent and beyond.
Arsenal angle
From an Arsenal point of view it was painful watching Kieran Tierney - primal roar in the opening moments aside - struggle so badly. However, on the flip side, Havertz’s performance in scoring his penalty moments before half time to make it 3-0, having already assisted the terrific Musiala to make it 2-0 before 20 had even elapsed was good to see.
£60m down the drain. Kai Havertz scores again. Etc etc
While Ryan Porteous’ horrific two footer on Ilkay Gundogan was worth two reds cards alone, the stats don’t lie.
Germany had 94 per cent passing accuracy with 43 attacks and 19 attempts (to Scotland’s zero chances created). The home nation completed 655 passes to Scotland’s meagre 193 while also covering more 9km more acreage than Steve Clark’s shellshocked side.
A shocking two footer…
No wonder Pat Nevin said the team owes their fans a performance in their next game against Switzerland.
Not only, but Id’ add the Tartan Army also deserves a table of steins and a pork knuckle, dumpling and sauerkraut lunch at one of the Marienplatz’s fine bierkellers in the centre of Munich.
Yet, before us English get too carried away I did like the response of a Scotland fan that follows me on Twitter (below)
Daily List:
Glitterbox all day rave down here in rain-lashed Brighton with my wonderful partner Faye and her mad pals. See you on the other side
Thought for the day:
Three games a day for nearly two weeks now coming up