Euro 2024: Florian Wirtz breaks Kai Havertz’s Germany feat with tournament opener

Florian Wirtz netted Germany’s first goal at their home European Championship to set a new record for his national team. 

The Bayer Leverkusen star went close in the game’s opening but had his effort saved by Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, even if the linesman’s flag was raised on the far side. 

Wirtz did not have to wait much longer, as he was found by Joshua Kimmich on the edge of the Scotland box and his right-footed effort beat Gunn to send the hosts into a 10th-minute lead. 

The Leverkusen star, who turned 21 last month, became Germany’s youngest goalscorer at the European Championship, supplanting Kai Havertz. 

The Arsenal man held the record after finding the net against Portugal at Euro 2020 (held in 2021), but Wirtz has now eclipsed him at 21 years and 42 days old. Minutes later, Jamal Musiala (at 21 years and 109 days) would add to Germany’s tally, pushing Havertz to third in a dominant half for Julian Nagelsmann’s men. 

According to Opta, Germany produced the first side to have players aged 21 or younger find the net for them in the same game at the Euros. 

Havertz netted a third from the spot before half-time. 

Germany next face Hungary and Switzerland on June 19 and 23, respectively, in Group A.