If it wants to engage in grocer’s calculations, the Swiss team could be well inspired to try to validate its qualification for the round of 16 of Euro 2024 before its last group match against Germany. Not that the mission is impossible, but the Nationalmannschaft confirmed Friday night, during the opening match, that she would be one hell of a piece. Their 5-1 success against Scotland confirms the resurgence in form they have experienced in recent months.
To the point of making this German team the big favorite for its Euro? In absolute terms, based on her performance alone and the sweet euphoria that she carries in the wake of coach Julian Nagelsmann, we are not far from it. At half-time, they already led by three goals, without there being anything to say. Because his performance had something very pure: Toni Kroos at the baton, still incredibly precise even though he will end his career after this competition, captain Ilkay Gündogan to make the link and above all the two magnificent nuggets that are Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
It is not completely a coincidence that the two talents, only 21 years old, were the first two to put their names on the scoreboard for this Euro. After only ten minutes, Kroos opened the game towards Kimmich who found Wirtz. The Bayer Leverkusen player’s shot was not perfect, but the hand of the Scottish goalkeeper Gunn was frankly not firm enough. And then, eight minutes later, Gündogan was hit between the lines, he found Havertz who cut back to Musiala. The Bayern Munich playmaker’s shot was unstoppable. Demonstration.
She was going to continue. First on a bloody attack from defender Porteus, who was the author of an attack (tackle with both feet off Gündogan’s ankle) just before the break: red card and penalty. There, in such a case, the double penalty was amply justified. Kai Havertz would transform him. Then, in a second period that was inevitably more controlled, the incoming Niklas Füllkrug would be able to light Gunn’s goal with a powerful half-volley to score the fourth (68th). And then, a strike from Emre Can would seal the deal at the very end of the match.
So, this is unplayable Nationalmannschaft? We may have to wait a little longer, especially the match against Hungary on Wednesday, to say it with confidence. Because if the Scots have invaded Munich in recent days in a jovial atmosphere, the pitch is another matter. Really poor in the game, the selection of Steve Clarke disappointed on Friday, incapable of really bothering Germany, even more of causing them danger. It’s simple, she never scored: she had to count on an unfortunate own goal from Rüdiger following a set ball to reduce the gap in the 86th minute.
Weak link in this group A? Possible. In any case, Germany gained a lot of credit by defeating that Scotland.
