Host Germany and England kicked off the true buildup to the European Championship with their first warmup games, only after Real Madrid capped the club season by signing Kylian Mbappé.
About 90 minutes after France captain Mbappé finally confirmed he was joining the new Champions League winner, Germany put national team action on midsummer's center stage in an enterprising 0-0 draw with Ukraine.
England got off to a slow start before a second half surge in a 3-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, including a national record-extending 63rd goal for Harry Kane, who went on as a substitute.
Croatia, another of the European powers, eased to a 3-0 win over North Macedonia.
All three Euro 2024 contenders were without their Madrid stars — Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric — who are resting this week after their title win on Saturday against Borussia Dortmund.
It was a night for untested lineups to search for some rhythm in their play and debuts given to several emerging talents ahead of rosters being finalized on Friday.
Germany's 21-year-old forward Maximilian Beier almost scored with his first shot in international soccer, striking the underside of the bar in the 60th minute. It was one of 26 attempts on the Ukraine goal by coach Julian Nagelsmann's team.
The roster deadline is one week before Germany opens its home tournament against Scotland in Munich on June 14.
Scotland stepped up its preparations with a modest 2-0 win against Gibraltar, which extended its run of losses to 13 games.
Albania, which is in the same Euro 2024 group as Croatia, cruised past Liechtenstein 3-0.
GERMANY GOAL-LESS
Hoffenheim forward Beier somehow did not score as a second-half substitute in his Germany debut. After immediately rattling the crossbar, Beier was denied three minutes later by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's diving save, then he sent a stooping header wide of the goal.
Nagelsmann also gave a debut to Bayern Munich's 20-year-old midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic.
The head of Germany's federal government, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was at the game in Nuremberg, which is not among the 10 Euro 2024 venues.
Both Germany and Ukraine start their tournament in Munich. Ukraine begins against Romania on June 17, three days after Germany meets Scotland in Bayern's home stadium.
Scotland took time to find an edge against minnow Gibraltar, missing a slew of first-half chances, and got second-half goals from Ryan Christie and Ché Adams. They have more responsibility after regular No. 9 Lyndon Dykes was ruled out of Euro 2024 last week after being injured in training.
ENGLAND EASY
Harry Kane has 62 more goals for England than Cole Palmer but the emerging Chelsea playmaker scored the first of what should be many for the Three Lions.
Palmer has been a penalty specialist for his club and was able to take a 60th-minute spot kick to open the scoring as Kane was still on the bench.