Nagelsmann says Scotland thumping a 'first step'

Julian Nagelsmann said his side understood Friday's 5-1 thumping of Scotland in the Euro 2024 opener was just a "first step" for the tournament hosts.

Germany, who have struggled at major tournaments for most of the past decade, blew the Scots off the park.

"The team is conscious that this was a first step," said Nagelsmann as Germany eye a record-breaking fourth Euros title.

"But it was very good and very important and was something that we can build on."

An opening match to remember for Germany 🇩🇪#EURO2024 | #GERSCO pic.twitter.com/luXAFwUS1E

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 14, 2024

Germany opened the scoring just 10 minutes in through Florian Wirtz, with man-of-the-match Jamal Musiala adding another on the 19-minute mark.

Scotland were reduced to 10 men shortly before halftime when Ryan Porteous received a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan inside his own box.

Kai Havertz duly scored from the spot to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime, with Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can both adding second-half goals.

The coach said he "would have signed on the dotted line" before the match to guarantee his side performed like they did on Friday, "even if I didn't expect it".

Nagelsmann, who only took over as Germany manager in September, said he was particularly pleased by his side's reaction to conceding a late goal while 4-0 up.

"We didn't let in any chances from open play. It was a very good sign for the team to be so pissed off that we conceded that goal.

"That shows the hunger that they had today."