Germany's coach Joachim Loew speaks with Germany's forward Thomas Mueller (R) ahead of being substituted during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between South Korea and Germany at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 27, 2018.

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

BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP / Getty

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.

The reigning World Cup holders have been knocked out at the group stage in four of the last five tournaments:

2002: 🇫🇷 France
2010: 🇮🇹 Italy
2014: 🇪🇸 Spain
2018: 🇩🇪 Germany

The curse of the champions. pic.twitter.com/u8xINJ6yom
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2018

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.