Scottish Euro Dreams Shattered

Scottish optimism swept across Munich on Friday, feeling like collective hypnosis, fueled by booze. Within the first 10 minutes of their Euro 2024 opener, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala turned the fans’ dream into a nightmare. The Tartan Army mistakenly believed they were celebrating but it was far from it. The high costs they incurred to be there compounded their dismay and many would have paid just as much to be anywhere but Munich. Reflecting on those early, shocking moments, Wirtz found space and time, exploiting Anthony Ralston’s hesitation.

Then, Kai Havertz outpaced Ralston and set up the brilliant Musiala. Wirtz and Musiala alternated their attacks on Ralston’s side where Ryan Porteous also wandered. The Scottish defenders struggled against two of Europe’s most talented 21-year-olds. Ralston fought valiantly but was tormented, and Porteous ended up with a red card. The German duo roamed from the right wing to the left, hunting their prey. Goals three, four and five followed while Scotland’s attempts at damage control ultimately failed.

Wirtz, the Bundesliga’s standout player last season, scored 18 goals and provided 19 assists for Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to the title. Quick, ruthless and only 21, Wirtz unsurprisingly struck the first blow against Scotland. In contrast, Ralston struggles to secure a spot in the Celtic team, having started just six league games last season. Suddenly thrust into a high-stakes role due to an injury crisis at right-wing back, he was expected to contain Wirtz and Musiala.

Ralston covered more ground than any of his teammates, fighting an impossible battle while the rest of the Scottish team struggled. The senior players, crucial in their journey to Germany, failed to deliver. John McGinn, usually ‘Super,’ was barely noticeable. Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay were mere spectators during the German onslaught. Angus Gunn was lackluster in goal. Although Steve Clarke might face criticism for leaving Billy Gilmour, one of his more skilled passers, on the bench, even a prime Gilmour wouldn’t have made a difference.

Scotland’s issues were too widespread, and the quality gap too vast for any individual to bridge. Clarke now faces a daunting challenge, akin to the nearby Austrian ski slopes. He promised that Scotland’s recent poor performances would improve in the tournament, but this match exposed recurring weaknesses. The team has a disastrous goal difference of minus four, far worse than Clarke anticipated. Despite their pre-tournament confidence, they didn’t manage a single shot on target.

Germany effortlessly scored five goals and created more chances after Porteous recklessly tackled Ilkay Gundogan and earned a red card. Porteous, previously known for his reckless play, showed this trait again in Munich. This defeat will haunt the team until they get a chance to redeem themselves against Switzerland on Wednesday. They now need four points to advance, a task as difficult as climbing Everest. They’ll likely return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen quietly, their spirits broken.

On Saturday, one of their players will probably address the media, insisting the campaign isn’t over and they must rebound against the Swiss, who eagerly seek to take advantage of Scotland’s difficulties and improve their own goal difference. Scotland must adopt a siege mentality; they have no other narrative to offer. The party is over, and the hangover has set in. How long it lasts will determine their future.