Despite a visibly less dominant string of qualifying matches and a questionable performance early in the group stage, as the reigning World Cup champions, when it came to the 2018 tournament, Germany could not be written off by any means. When you think about it, after handing Brazil a sound 7-1 whooping in the semi-finals in 2014, how could one even imagine that they wouldn’t even make it out of the group stage this year? Well, after a stunning 2-0 loss to South Korea—of all the teams— Germany is going home and the internet is going nuts.
For starters, Fox Sports Brazil’s reaction is both petty and priceless. Still, that 7-1 L Brazil took in 2014 is by no means better than going out in the first round. It’s better to go out early than be a world-renowned team that chokes and gets smashed in the semi-finals, especially considering the fact that Brazil had beaten Germany when it really really mattered so many times in the past, but I’m digressing here.
Last World Cup: Germany 7-1 Brazil
This World Cup: https://t.co/NFu4bkU3ms
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 27, 2018
The American Outlaws, a band of next-generation US Soccer fans are actually offering Germany a seat on the couch of embarrassingly crippling defeat.
Welcome, Germany. pic.twitter.com/YydOYjNl5b
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) June 27, 2018
Maybe Americans were just generally elated that someone else besides them blew it when they didn’t have to?
Caught the USL office reaction of the first Korea goal to beat defending champion Germany!
Speaking of couches.
BREAKING: Germany has clinched home couch advantage for the #WorldCup Round of 16 pic.twitter.com/x1Yuejr12f
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) June 27, 2018
But, South Korea still isn’t even that good!
South Korea v Germany highlights in 7 seconds #KORGER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/rla1sRaq4p
— THE WANGA™ (@Frank_Wanga) June 27, 2018
When you think about it, Germany deserved this, they just didn’t seem to play that hard.
#GERMANY recap pic.twitter.com/RuuPRbK4u3
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) June 27, 2018
A quick summary of Germany's World Cup run. pic.twitter.com/MR9y1Ihzcr
— Brandi, House of Shoebill (@ItsTheBrandi) June 27, 2018
The fans are pissed.
Our reaction to Germany
The fans are shocked.
My reaction when Germany lost to South-Korea and they going back to their country. pic.twitter.com/pIRBMuDkKo
— Galacto (@grigory_grishin) June 27, 2018
But, it’s been a weird week in general anyway.
My reaction to landing, after a three hour flight, to the news that (1) Justice Kennedy is retiring, (2) SCOTUS dealt arguably the biggest blow to labor unions ever, and (3) somehow Germany failed to advance at the World Cup #TheSkyIsFalling #fortunatelyimnotinitanymore pic.twitter.com/f42ChMAqEX
— Mike Brown (@LikeMike025) June 27, 2018
Meanwhile, everyone who stood to benefit from their elimination *cough cough* England and Mexico, are turning all the way up right now.
The @footballdailyuk reaction to Germany going out… pic.twitter.com/LbqgFCixet
— Joe Thomlinson (@joethomlinson) June 27, 2018
Euphoria. Thank you VAR. (Reaction to the first South Korea goal) #KORGER #VAR #WorldCup2018 #Germany #SouthKorea #Reaction #Euphoria #Germanyout #GermanyvsSouthKorea pic.twitter.com/tYc4OYnqHa
— Oliver Townsend (@O_Townsend25) June 27, 2018
My reaction to Germany crashing out of the World Cup:#GERKOR pic.twitter.com/NMi5ZyRt4e
— Michael Whittaker (@michaelwhitt) June 27, 2018
Still, it’s not like Germany’s exit is unfounded. This is the third World Cup in which the reigning champs have gone out in the first round. Italy did it in 2010 and Spain did it in 2014. Plus their exit gives less experienced but talented teams like Mexico and South Korea a chance to prove themselves in the round of 16 and that’s something to be excited about.
