A typical Germany

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said on Monday he will make a call on his future after Euro 2024, the 2014 World Cup winner's eighth major tournament.

The 38-year-old said he "could not yet reveal" whether this would be his last dance in Germany colours, adding "I'll turn my mind to it after the tournament."

Neuer returned to action for Bayern Munich in October after almost a year out of the game with a broken leg, during which he lost the Germany captaincy to Barcelona's Ilkay Gundogan.

Neuer returned and was restored as Germany's No.1 by coach Julian Nagelsmann, despite a series of errors at club and international level in the lead-up to the hosts' Euro 2024 opener against Scotland.

The veteran made errors in Germany's pre-tournament friendlies against Ukraine and Greece and also committed a cardinal error for Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid in May.

While Neuer's status alongside Germany greats like Oliver Kahn and Sepp Maier is secure, the errors led to growing calls to replace him -- particularly with Barcelona's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen waiting in the wings.

Just days out from the tournament opener against Scotland, a survey of 80,000 readers of German tabloid Bild found 72 percent wanted Ter Stegen to take over from Neuer.

"I didn't read anything about it," Neuer said, adding "the focus for me was on the first game against Scotland and the upcoming matches."

Neuer was not tested in the 5-1 win over Scotland on Friday, where Germany's only goal conceded came off the head of Antonio Rudiger.

"I've actually always done it in such a way that I go into the analysis with those responsible here and we discuss everything, look at the pictures and then evaluate everything.

"That's why I haven't given much thought to this debate. Of course, the relationship of trust between our team and the players is important."

Cristiano Ronaldo had the most attempts on target and hosts Germany made best use of their chances in the first round of pool matches at the European Championship, while a forward from Romania has been the quickest across the grass so far.

Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet from his three shots on target in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday and is one of four players to have five attempts at goal in total along with France's Marcus Thuram, Georgia's Georges Mikautadze and Christian Eriksen of Denmark.

It has been a tournament for early – and late - goals so far, with six of the 34 netted inside the opening 15 minutes, and 14 in the first half-hour. There have been four goals scored past the 90-minute mark already.

With a healthy average of 2.84 goals per game, or one every 32 minutes, only five of the 24 teams failed to find the back of the net in their opening fixtures.

Albania's Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in Euros history after 23 seconds against Italy, though his side ended up losing 2-1.

Portugal lead the possession numbers with 69 per cent, while hosts Germany were similarly dominant with 68 per cent as they thumped Scotland 5-1.

The Germans have the best passing accuracy with 94 per cent, led by their 21-year-old attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala, who completed 100 per cent of his 33 passes to teammates.

Serbia put in the joint most number of tackles with 20 in their 1-0 loss to England, a figure matched by Turkey in their rip-roaring 3-1 victory over Georgia.

Germany's players come out to warm up ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Germany and Scotland at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on June 14, 2024. Photo: AFP

Two players managed two assists in the first round of games, Romania forward Dennis Man as they beat Ukraine 3-0 and, perhaps more surprising, Netherlands defender Nathan Ake in the 2-1 victory over Poland.

Turkey had the most shots at goal as a team with 22, one more than the Netherlands, and also had the highest expected goals (xG) - a measure of how promising their chances were - with 2.62.

The most efficient side was Germany, who netted five times from an xG of 2.04, and the most wasteful Croatia as they were held scoreless by Spain in their 3-0 loss despite an xG of 2.27.

Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek was the busiest between the posts, making seven saves, one more than the Netherlands' Bart Verbruggen.

There were four players who clocked running at over 35 kilometres per hour, headed by Romania forward Valentin Mihaila (35.9km/h).

Belgium's Jeremy Doku (35.3), Rasmus Hojlund (35.3) from Denmark and France captain Kylian Mbappe (35.2) were the others.

No player covered more grass than Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who ran 13.9 kilometres against England.

Germany forward Kai Havertz will miss their Nations League matches against Bosnia and the Netherlands due to a knee problem, the Germany national team said on Sunday.

Havertz played the full 90 minutes for his club Arsenal in Saturday's 3-1 win against Southampton in the Premier League but will not join up with Germany.

"National team coach Julian Nagelsmann has nominated Jonathan Burkardt in Havertz's place. Get well soon Kai," Germany announced on X on Sunday.

Germany visit Bosnia on Friday and host the Netherlands on Oct. 14.

France were completely outclassed by Germany in their 2-0 defeat on Saturday and should treat the loss as a wake-up call ahead of the European Championship, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said.

Florian Wirtz scored Germany's fastest international goal after seven seconds before the Euro 2024 hosts doubled their lead early in the second half through Kai Havertz to earn victory in the Lyon friendly.

"I think we were outclassed in every department," Tchouameni told French TV network TF1.

"We couldn't put our game plan in place. We came up against a great team. We need to do better, individually and collectively.

"It's a wake-up call, but there's no need to overreact either. We are aware of and confident in our qualities."

Striker Olivier Giroud said France could make no excuses for the defeat, telling L'Equipe: "We started the game badly, they caught us cold, we were slow to react and we didn't score at our best.

"In midfield, they tended to find their players between the lines. It's a reminder that you need to be in the thick of things from the start and for 90 minutes."

France next face Chile in a friendly at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday.

Euro2024 runs from June 14 to July 14.

The hosts may have bowed out of Euro 2024 at the quarterfinals on home soil, but Julian Nagelsmann has given Germany their swagger back after a difficult decade.

Germany came into Euro 2024 after two World Cup group stage exits either side of a meek last 16 loss to England.

But while Friday's extra-time loss to Spain in Stuttgart denied the hosts a chance to celebrate the retiring Toni Kroos with one of the few titles to elude him, the Germans demonstrated they can again mix it with the best.

Germany veteran Manuel Neuer wrote on social media "the dream has been shattered. It's even more bitter, because the team deserved more".

Having spoken through tears pitch side after the game, Nagelsmann sought to shift Germany's focus to the future in the post-match press conference.

"It's sad that I'll probably never be a part of a home Euros in my career again," the coach said.

"That hurts. And having to wait two years to become world champions, that hurts as well."

"You like that statement, don't you?" the coach asked reporters, "it makes your eyes pop, it's crazy.

"What else should I say after we were knocked out? Of course, we want to become world champions."

'Again amongst the best'

Nagelsmann's bullish statements are a far cry from those of his predecessor Hansi Flick after Germany's group stage Qatar World Cup exit.

Flick, who later became the first coach sacked in Germany history, pointed to fundamental problems and called out the country's junior system for failing to produce top players.

After convincing Kroos to return, Nagelsmann swept the broom through Germany's squad, making 11 changes with the Euros in mind.

Several new additions including Robert Andrich and Maximilian Mittelstaedt established themselves in Germany's starting XI, while the coach also found a way to properly play Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz alongside each other.

Germany won just three of 11 games in 2023. Friday's loss to Spain -- with La Roja scoring in the 119th minute -- was Germany's first defeat in 2024, after six wins and two draws.

Kroos, who retired from international football in 2021, was asked by Nagelsmann to return before Euro 2024 and only agreed to come back if he felt Germany had a true shot at winning the tournament.

The 34-year-old signed off after his last game of professional football knowing Germany were in good hands.

"It hurts, particularly in the way it happened. We were absolutely on an equal footing with Spain," said the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid player.

"But when this initial feeling of sadness is gone, we will realise that we're again amongst the best."

'Not extremely young'

With most of the best managers coaching at domestic level, the 36-year-old Nagelsmann had been tipped for a return to club football but extended his deal to 2026 prior to the tournament.

With the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada two years away, Nagelsmann has his next major challenge in sight.

Although Musiala and Wirtz are both 21 and striker Kai Havertz is 25, Nagelsmann will need to oversee a partial rebuild, with Germany's squad the oldest at Euro 2024.

Kroos' exit is confirmed, but several other Germany veterans could be headed for the door.

Thomas Mueller, 34, who came off the bench late in search of his first goal at a European championship, told reporters afterwards "realistically speaking, it's possible this was my last international game".

Neuer, 38, who won the World Cup in 2014 alongside Kroos and Mueller, said he will "think about it after the tournament".

Even captain Ilkay Gundogan, 33, said he "needed a few more days to think about it and would then make a decision".

Nagelsmann acknowledged "we have a squad which is not extremely young" and confirmed "we will definitely change a few things.

"We will do something with the squad to deliver a few good games and put together the best team for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers."