Germany send Scotland ominous 2024 message as old timer humbles fancied France on return

Scotland now know they're facing a Euro 2024 baptism of fire after Germany recorded an ominous victory over tournament favourites France in their own backyard.

Steve Clarke's side will open the show against the hosts in Munich on Friday, June 14. Friday night's friendly away to the Netherlands was billed as a dry run of the type of test the Scots will be facing. But despite looking good for over an hour, the scoreline was worryingly one-sided as the Dutch ran out 4-0 winners despite nit really impressing.

And just to underline the size of the task we face, the Germans went to much fancied France on Saturday night and won 2-0. Florian Wirtz opened the scoring n the first minute, but it was the return of old-timer Toni Kroos that highlighted the quality and Julian Nagelsmann's disposal. On his first international appearance for over three years, the Real Madrid star provided an assists from kick-off to put the French on the back foot.

Arsenal froward Kai Havertz doubled his nation's advantage four minutes after the break as Die Mannschaft reinforced their credentials by claiming an impressive scalp. Kylian Mbappe and co. had no answer as they drew a blank, with the Tartan Army hoping that Lawrence Shankland, Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams will fare better when the realm stuff starts.

Next up for Scotland is Northern Ireland at Hampden. And they'll get to see if Nagelsmann's team can succeed where they failed with Netherlands heading to Frankfurt for a friendly clash off the back of that win over the Scots.