Scotland’s disappointing start to the Euros was marked by their failure to take a shot on target in their opening match against the Czech Republic. This was a first at a major tournament since Euro 1992 when they faced the Netherlands. Despite this, they managed to score thanks to an own goal by Antonio Rüdiger, resulting in a 0-2 loss.
Scotland’s heavy defeat of 0-2 against the Czech Republic was their worst loss at a major international tournament since their 7-0 defeat against Uruguay in the 1954 World Cup. They also conceded five goals in a match for the first time since a friendly against the United States in 2012 and the first competitive match since their 6-0 loss to the Netherlands in a Euro qualifier in 2003.
The game also saw Scotland’s centre-half, Ryan Porteous, receive a red card, making him only the second Scottish player to be sent off at a major tournament after Craig Burley in the 1998 World Cup. This was the first time a player had been sent off in the opening game of the Euros since 2012 when both Sokratis and Wojciech Szczesny were shown red cards in the match between Poland and Greece.
