For the first time ever, Germany is heading home from a World Cup after just the group stage.
The defending world champion played poorly against South Korea, but the problems for Die Mannschaft started much earlier than that.
Germany's footballing pedigree at World Cups has always been the stuff of legend. A fiery team spirit, ice cold from the penalty spot, and in recent years, an exciting brand of football to match.
But now the 2014 World Cup winners have become the fourth World Champion out of the last five to exit during the group stage of their title defence.
Germany's football obsessed public will argue for months about the causes of this historic sporting downfall.
Germany dramatically eliminated
The last round of group-stage matches continues to produce incredible drama as Germany is dumped from the World Cup in stunning fashion.
But a few things are clear: The 2018 version of Joachim Low's team lacked flair and bite, and also the necessary skill in front of goal — not to mention a backline that was easily caught out on the counterattack.
It was a team that did not deserve to win the World Cup.
"Our last convincing game was back in autumn," admitted defender Mats Hummels just moments after his side's shock 2-0 loss to South Korea.
Hummels is right. Germany's national football side has been on a downward trend for months now.
Going into the World Cup, it was still the world's number-one team but was already showing very weak form.
