'Germany's downfall' - Newspapers react to shock World Cup elimination

An almost unprecedented failure to advance to the latter stages was greeted with mourning by the German press - but glee in England

After 80 years of incredible consistency at the World Cup, it is fair to say that Germany's early elimination has come as quite the shock to disappointed fans back home.

One must look back all the way to 1938 to find the last time the nation failed to progress past the first round of football's most important tournament.

But the reigning champions were dethroned in humiliating fashion on Wednesday, with Son Heung-Min's late, decisive goal into an empty net while Manuel Neuer tried to scramble back summing up the most disappointing of campaigns.

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Accusing eyes have turned on both the goalkeeper, who returned to the team after months out injured but was far from his best in Russia, and coach Joachim Low, whose future on the bench is now uncertain after 12 years in charge.

And as could be expected, the mood among Germany's biggest media outlets was one of depression as the headlines for tomorrow dailies were released late on Wednesday evening.

'Over and out' - Die Welt

'Out' - Rheinische Post

'Speechless' - Bild

The famous daily had run a simple title of "Speechless" four years ago, accompanied by a beaming picture of Bastian Schweinsteiger as Germany entered the World Cup final with a 7-1 thrashing of Brazil.

This time, however, Bild is out of words for a different reason, as the editors struggle to digest a near-unprecedented failure for the national team - while the defeat also made the news over in England...