Germany’s early exit from this year’s World Cup has made headlines across the world – with newspapers from a host of countries featuring the defending champions’ plight on their front pages.
The team’s disappointment and shock at crashing out of the competition in the group stages was summed up on the front of the country’s national newspaper Bild.
“No words”, read the headline, alongside an image of a dejected Toni Kroos.
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
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In stark contrast, the paper had used the same headline in 2014, alongside a photo of an elated Kroos, when Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup semi-final. They went on to win the tournament, beating Argentina in the final.
Other countries took more delight in Germany’s departure, however, after they lost 2-0 to South Korea.
In the UK, The Sun carried the headline: “Schadenfreude” – a word meaning pleasure derived from other people’s misfortune.
Tomorrow's front page: Germany are OUT of the World Cup https://t.co/98kGIpUl2I pic.twitter.com/XWHF7d5Iqx
— The Sun (@TheSun) June 27, 2018
The Metro declared: “Out Wiedersehen!” on its front page, with its back page reading: “From champs to chumps”, while the Daily Telegraph’s sport section described it as a “historic humiliation”.
Thursday’s METRO: OUT Wiedersehen #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/bJLEr12oYj
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) June 27, 2018
METRO SPORT: From champs to chumps #tomorrowspaperstoday
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/UFAbMxLGOg
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) June 27, 2018
TELEGRAPH SPORT: A historic humiliation #tomorrowspaperstoday
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/YKCeJxVs5F
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) June 27, 2018
In Spain, meanwhile, national sport newspaper Marca called Germany’s exit “the curse of the champions”.
