World Cup 2018: How the curse of the winners struck for third tournament running to get Germany knocked out
Holders Germany were eliminated at the group stage, just as Spain were in 2014 and Italy in 2010
THE curse of the World Cup has struck again.
Germany, knocked out by South Korea on Wednesday, became the third successive holders to be eliminated at the group stage.
After Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014, Joachim Low's side followed the trend by heading home before the knockouts even begin.
A 2-0 defeat to South Korea confirmed Germany's fate in Kazan.
Kim Young-Gwon and Son Heung-Min scored stoppage time goals to send the Germans bottom of the table and home.
The same happened to 2006 champions Italy in the following tournament.
Four years later, in South Africa, the Italians mustered just two points in a group containing Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.
Spain managed a point more in Rio four years ago, but were humbled by Holland and Chile.
Then world champions Spain lost 5-1 to Louis van Gaal's Holland in their first game of the group and never properly recovered.
And so all eyes will be on this year's champions at Qatar 2022.
It would be a curse England fans would surely be more than willing to take.