Germany 2-1 Scotland

Opponents > Germany > Germany 2-1 Scotland, 2014

After a run of six unbeaten games, Scotland were full of confidence.  But they couldn't have asked for a harder start to the Euro 2016 campaign, with a match away to the newly crowned World Champions.

The Germans start strong and come close after 10 minutes when Muller heads wide.  Five minutes later the Scots give the Germans a fright when a shot by Bannan is deflected wide and from the resulting corner Charlie Mulgrew hits the woodwork.  The linesman's flag would have saved the Germans anyway.  In the 18th minute, the Germans took the lead when a cross by Rudy was met by the head of Muller, who outjumped Hutton and Martin, to loop a header over the outstretched Marshall.  A few minutes before half time, Marshall needs to stretch and prevent a deflected cross from creeping in.  Scotland make a positive start to the second half when Hutton went on a run down the right before passing to Naismith in the middle, who took it past the defenders and hit a low shot that hit the outside of the post and went wide.  On the 66th minute, Scotland's pressure paid off.  Anya ran on to a great ball down the left from Steven Fletcher, and was through one on one with Neuer.  Anya then slotted the ball past the outrushing keeper to give Scotland a deserved equaliser.  Four minutes later, a calamity of defending by Scotland allowed Muller to put the Germans back in front.  Scotland failed to clear a corner, and the German slotted home from close range.  A couple of minutes later, the Germans are very lucky when Durm, who was the last man pulls down Naismith, and only recieves a yellow card.  At the end of the match Charlie Mulgrew recieves a yellow card for a bad tackle, and then a couple of minutes later, stupidly kicks the ball away to get a second yellow followed by a red card.  The Germans see out the match for a 2-1 victory, but at least the Scots can take alot of positives away from pushing the World Champions in their own back yard.