Germany suffered the ignominy of failing to get past the opening round of a World Cup for the first time since 1938 on Wednesday, and the media – both local and international – were quick to stick the boot in.
Because Sweden defeated Mexico 3-0 in Group F’s other game in Ekaterinburg at the same time, Germany needed to just beat South Korea and they spent most of the game on top.
But they were devoid of craft in attack and, as their attempts to salvage a result got desperate, Korea picked them off on the break, scoring twice in second-half stoppage time to seal Germany’s fate.
As such, they became the third successive world champions to fall at the first hurdle after Italy and Spain.
And the ridicule has been as brutal as expected from abroad, while the anger in the German media has been palpable.
German media
The Frankfurter Rundschau labelled the exit an “historical debacle” online, as Joachim Low calmed any suggestions his resignation was imminent.
Deutschland erleidet mit dem WM-Vorrundenaus ein historisches Debakel. Bundestrainer Joachim #Löw lässt seine Zukunft offen und sagt: „Ich habe die Verantwortung“. #wm2018 https://t.co/HnV2GM6kOU
— FrankfurterRundschau (@fr) June 27, 2018
Handelsblatt poked fun at the idea of Die Mannschaft being a “team”, before blasting them for “failing collectively” against a “weak” South Korea side.
„Die Mannschaft“ versagt im Kollektiv und fährt nach Hause. Dabei gab es gegen schwache Südkoreaner nicht nur mangelhafte Leistungen. https://t.co/8f47yUrUtK
— Handelsblatt (@handelsblatt) June 27, 2018
Die Zeit had a rather more considered approach to their outlook. They wrote: “The German XI does not always have to win, not even in the finals. But it should play better, more modern, faster football than at this World Cup.” Because it is just that easy!
Die deutsche Elf muss nicht immer gewinnen, auch nicht immer ins Finale. Aber sie sollte besseren, moderneren, schnelleren Fußball spielen als bei dieser WM. #KORGER #WM2018 https://t.co/RzuDCbbi3F
— ZEIT ONLINE (@zeitonline) June 27, 2018
Germany’s major sports newpaper Bild showed off its front and back pages, going with the simplistic “no words” headline.
Links: unsere Seite 1 nach dem 7:1 2014.
Rechts: unsere Seite 1 nach dem WM-Aus 2018. pic.twitter.com/r0EB0xpSki— BILD (@BILD) June 27, 2018
Perhaps the most striking comment of all in the German press came from the Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung, who referred to Wednesday’s match as a “public corpse show”.
International media
The Times in the United Kingdom had a striking front page, showing Son Heung-min knocking the ball into the empty net, accompanied by: “The day the Germans just disappeared”.
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TIMES SPORT: Day the Germans just disappeared #tomorrowspaperstoday
pic.twitter.com/A6YFCT50iZ— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) June 27, 2018
Over in Italy, Corriere dello Sport revelled in the misery of Germany, while simultaneously making fun of the cliche that German tourists are the first to the sunbeds at European resorts. They went with: “See you at the beach”.
Their Italian compatriots at Gazzetta dello Sport were less mocking, instead going with “Default Germania”.
Buongiorno! Today’s front page headlines from Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport. https://t.co/EILlErxAG3 pic.twitter.com/jPh4YB8XyX
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) June 28, 2018
L’Equipe of France went down the historic conflicts route. Their headline was “La Berezina”, a word often used as a synonym in French for “disaster”. However, the Battle of Berezina (1812) did not involve the Germans and was actually on modern-day Belarusian soil, rather than Russian.
Petit rappel #Equipe la retraite de Russie est une défaite. La bérézina est une victoire de l’armée française. pic.twitter.com/FPwSk7WMWr
— robin piette (@Robinpiette) June 27, 2018
Spain’s Marca highlighted “the curse of the champions” after Germany became the third successive holders to get dumped out in the group stage. Mundo Deportivo went with “kaputt historico”, while AS kept it simple: “Adios Germany!”
Buenos dias! Here are Thursday’s front page headlines from Marca, Diario AS & El Mundo Deportivo, in English! https://t.co/zn0siA85Py pic.twitter.com/9WB875zlCC
— footballespana (@footballespana_) June 28, 2018
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