Germany the 3rd straight World Cup champion to be ousted in group stage

The curse of the champion lives on.

Germany became the third consecutive reigning World Cup champion to be dumped out of the group stage after Wednesday's unbelievable 2-0 defeat to South Korea.

Spain and Italy also failed to reach the knockout round in the 2014 and 2010 World Cups.

Germany's ill-fated World Cup began with a frustrating 1-0 loss to Mexico that exposed Die Mannschaft in midfield. Things improved days later in a last-minute 2-1 win over Sweden, but a lack of sharpness in front of goal haunted Germany against South Korea. Despite firing 28 shots, Joachim Low's side failed to find the back of the net.

Spain and Italy suffered the same fate in Brazil and South Africa because of aging players and a stale style of play, and subsequently faced an inquisition over their approach to football.