Germany have been knocked out of the group stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1938 following a shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea.The reigning champions only needed to match Sweden's result against Mexico, but Janne Andersson's side sailed through topping Group F with a 3-0 win. Joachim Low's men will cling to their hopes for the future in light of their Confederations Cup win in 2017, but the reality is that they came up woefully short on the biggest stage of them all.Mats Hummels had two glorious chances to score before Die Mannschaft's fate had been sealed and the centre-back's head couldn't connect with either well enough.Rarely do the Germans look vulnerable at the back, yet Manuel Neuer was not at his unshakeable best.The Bayern Munich goalkeeper has missed so much football this season that it is hardly a surprise; for the rest, there is not necessarily a good excuse for their performance.

Hummels breaks Germany's silence 

In fact, Hummels' tweet after the game summed up the feeling that they simply hadn't been good enough.

To his credit, the former Dortmund defender was the first - and as yet, the only - German player to take to social media to make his voice heard.

In all likelihood, when they do put their heads above the parapet, this squad will have some serious questions to answer about where it all went wrong.

The same can be said of Low, who admitted this is a huge moment in the history of the German national side.

"This is something for us to reckon with," the manager said, via BBC Sport.

"This is historic. I am sure this will create some public uproar in Germany."

"We saw Sweden had taken the lead so we needed to keep the pressure up but our team was missing the ease of play and the classiness we usually have. So, we deserve to be eliminated, yes."

Do you blame Low for Germany's exit? Have your say in the comments.