Scotland beaten out of sight by a ruthless Germany.

 Scotland beaten out of sight by a ruthless Germany.

Firstly, there was the opening ceremony. Then there was the understated pomp and ceremony. The Germans always know how to do these big occasions. It was the first night of Euro 2024 and, as is the tradition now, there are always nervous twitches, panic attacks and a good deal of excited anticipation. But this theatrical production turned into a hellish nightmare for Scottish football. This wasn't supposed to happen to Scotland. They should have known what was about to take place and there were no contingency measures but none of us were either deeply shocked or surprised. 

When the curtain went up for Scotland on this starriest of nights, Scotland blinked in the dazzling headlights and almost vanished without trace. By the half hour, Scotland were clinging onto the ropes, wobbling and swaying on their feet and about to collapse. Yes indeed, a boxing referee would almost certainly have thrown in the towel of surrender. Scotland were heading for the massacre of Munich and this one was almost unbearably painful.

 After all, you can only take so many punches to the head and this was a relentless onslaught. In fact this was, quite possibly, one of the greatest mismatches of all time, a one sided contest that could have been predicted when the Euro 2024 draw was made. On the half hour, Scotland were reeling, dazed and bewildered, not quite sure what had hit them. This defeat had the destructive force of a bulldozer but then we knew what was in store for us. Scotland were just searching for damage limitation.

Your mind wound back 50 years ago to Scotland's first World Cup for the first time in ages. In 1974, the Scots were heavily backed as overwhelming favourites to beat little Zaire. It would be a genuine David and Goliath confrontation with the African minnows there to be knocked down like bowling skittles. Of course, cricket or rugby scores were confidently predicted but then Scotland had an attack of cold feet. Goals from a Peter Lorimer thunderbolt and Joe Jordan's glancing header from a Billy Bremner free kick put Scotland clearly on the international football map. But the pundits were expecting much more from a Scotland side allegedly the superior side by quite some distance.

Ironically, this was the World Cup of 1974 in the old West Germany and the coincidence was that the game was also played on a Friday night. But then Willy Ormond's brave, redoubtable Scottish side could only manage just the two and, at the time, it felt as though the Scots had grossly underperformed. When the old Yugoslavia demolished Zaire 9-0 and Brazil comfortably eased past the same opposition with a 3-0 win, we knew Scotland would eventually struggle to get any further than they did. 

But last night, the whisky distilleries and folk clubs of Scotland must have been spluttering into their alcoholic beverages. During yesterday afternoon the cheerful and philosophical folk of Scotland were jigging around Munich's main squares, high on life and drinking the good health of their national side. Then there was a horrible realisation that Scotland's opponents were Germany, serial winners of both World Cups and European Championships.

And yet Scotland being Scotland were just pleased to be at Euro 2024 and the rest was just a welcome bonus. Sadly, they were now on the end of a horrific hiding. By half time, Scotland were buried in the mire, up to their ears in dirt, muck and bullets. They had been beaten out of sight and the Germans must have thought they'd never had an easier day. The Germans were three goals to the good and many an English fan must have been giggling up their collective sleeves.

The defensive quartet of the otherwise immaculate and admirable Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, who did shine for Arsenal, Jack Hendry who must have been looking for a hole after last night's display and the unfortunate Ryan Porteus, who was sent off after a reckless challenge, never really looked surviving yesterday evening's traumatic ordeal.

In midfield the tireless and industrious Aston Villa John Mcginn, the immensely reassuring and cultured Scott McTominay of Manchester United and Callum Mcgregor had nothing to offer by way of retaliation to a remorselessly accomplished German side who were swarming all over Scotland. This was such an act of cruelty and savagery to Steve Clarke's Scotsmen that Hungary and Switzerland can't possibly come quickly enough for them. Their two remaining matches should be a clear guide as to how far Scotland can go in Euro 2024.

Now a confident and composed Germany just passed the ball amongst themselves with all the ease of men opening up a packet of sweets. The ball was treated with all the love and affection that has almost characterised German sides throughout the ages. There were those mathematical, short, concise passes that left the Scots running after a train they were never likely to catch. Then there were deceptive angles,  tantalising triangles and neat interchanges that sent the Scots into a world of dizzy confusion.

Suddenly the Germans went into overdrive. The immense authority of Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan, the evergreen and influential Toni Kroos, the leadership of Antonio Rudiger, the refined class of Jonathan Tah and the controlling presence of Joshua Kimmich and then Floriana Wirtz and Kai Havertz up front, all unbridled aggression and raw power. 

After a delightful piece of approach work, Germany soon took the lead. A splendid crossfield ball left open acres of space in Scotland's defence and Floriana Wirtz took the ball in full stride before smashing the ball forcefully into the back of the net. Minutes later, the Germans had tightened their hold on this match when, after another bewitching sequence of passes, Gundogan smartly cut the ball back and threaded a lovely through  ball for John Musiala who cracked the ball home thunderously, leaving the ball shaking with disbelief in the back of the net.

Just before half time, yet more measured and cleverly executed passes sent Havertz into the Scottish penalty area. Following a collision of bodies, Harvertz saw his opening, bundling forward and then caught by a trailing leg from Ryan Porteus. Porteus reckless challenge not only ended in a red card sending off offence but also led to a penalty. Havertz, stepped up, hesitated and then crashed home the German third. This game was all over bar the shouting. Niclas Fullkrug made absolutely sure with a stunning third goal for Germany.

The second half now became the formality that the Scots must have privately dreaded.The Germans were in full swagger almost bathing in their arrogance and haughtiness, a side now liberated from the ghastly disappointments of recent World Cups. Scotland were now breathing hot air and there was no way back for Steve Clarke's woeful team. Gundogan, once again, broke clear of his markers and  Fullkrug  again drove the ball into the back of the net with such fearsome ferocity that once again the net seemed to be pleading for forgiveness. In injury time the athletic Emre Can rubbed salt into Scottish wounds with a fifth. Antonio Rudiger's headed own goal for Scotland left the Germans ever so slightly embarrassed but now nobody really cared that much.

And so it is that Scotland head off their next assignment in the embryonic stages of this Euro 2024. This was never going to be the easiest journey for Scotland and we knew that anyway. Hungary and Switzerland have undoubted pedigree and stature at international football although both are winnable games for Scotland. The trouble is that when the quietly spoken figure of manager Steve Clarke sits down with his players, he might find it almost impossible to come up with the appropriate words to shake up this demoralised Scottish team. We wish them well.