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

The Football Ramble suggests this was justice for 2010

Qatari TV hark back to Germany's pre-match protest

A doctored Japanese flag pays a cheeky nod to the Var controversy

Alan Shearer sees the funny side

This old classic got wheeled out

Kai Havertz was not overly chuffed to win man of the match

Sprinting straight on to that plane

'Troll Football' indeed

And one more for fun...