How the world poked fun at Germany's World Cup exit
They are one of international football's most consistent winning machines – with four World Cups and three European Championships safely ensconced in the trophy cabinet.
But Germany's time at the World Cup in Qatar came to an early end on Thursday night, with Hansi Flick's side eliminated from the tournament at the group stage amid major Var controversy.
Die Mannschaft's exit was confirmed after Japan fought back to shock Spain 2-1, but Ao Tanaka's winner proved highly contentious, with the ball appearing to have gone out before a cross which he bundled home.
That proved to be the final nail in the Germany 2022 coffin – and there has been plenty of reaction back home to 'Die Katarstrophe' of a second successive World Cup nightmare.
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann was among those to stick the boot in, saying: "After this debacle, we only have 18 months until the European Championships at home, that was pathetic."
The departure of one of the pre-tournament favourites has sparked an outpouring of social media mirth which will have done little to ease the pain after another shot at World Cup glory disappeared.
Some posts poke fun at the irony of Germany's exit being down to a debatable line call given the controversy over Frank Lampard's ghost goal in 2010, while Gary Lineker posted an image of Sir Geoff Hurst's contentious World Cup final goal, and a cheekily doctored Japanese flag is also doing the rounds.
Here's how the Internet reacted.
Gary Lineker draws a comparison with 1966
Definitely over the line. pic.twitter.com/CyXcggFpb6
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 1, 2022
The Football Ramble suggests this was justice for 2010
What goes around comes around and all that👀 pic.twitter.com/xgC4K6iIWG
— Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) December 1, 2022
Qatari TV hark back to Germany's pre-match protest
محللين برنامج المجلس بعد خروج ألمانيا 😂 pic.twitter.com/M87KeE5Htz
— شؤون قطرنا 🇶🇦 (@Qattar_Affairs) December 2, 2022
A doctored Japanese flag pays a cheeky nod to the Var controversy
Japan's new flag. #JPN pic.twitter.com/KBHOP8wZoF
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) December 1, 2022
Alan Shearer sees the funny side
Germany are out of the #FIFAWorldCup in the group stage!! pic.twitter.com/h3bFEYn1Pw
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 1, 2022
This old classic got wheeled out
Japan when they got drawn into Spain and Germany’s group: pic.twitter.com/KE2vMEhhyw
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) December 1, 2022
Kai Havertz was not overly chuffed to win man of the match
The most unhappy Man of the Match award in history 😂 pic.twitter.com/iIadmpZdvv
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 1, 2022
Sprinting straight on to that plane
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) December 2, 2022
'Troll Football' indeed
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 1, 2022