German press slams World Cup woe

The reigning champions bid farewell to the tournament on Wednesday with their defeat and the national press didn't miss the opportunity to rub salt into the wound.

On July 9 2014, 'Bild' famous led with the story of their remakable win over the 'Seleçao', lost for words at the brilliance of their country's display.

On Thursday, they were lost for words again, though this time not in a good way. 

 

27 June 2018

In 2014, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira could be seen locked in an almost disbelieving embrace, four years later Kroos dominated the back pages once again, heartbroken after his last-gasp heroics against Sweden proved to be for nothing.

Germany's shock exit follows the trend of reigning champions struggling to defend their crowns, with now four of the last five victors falling in the group stages during the following campaign.