Some players sank to their knees in tears while others gazed, drifting ghost-like across the ground, barely taking in what had just happened when the whistle blew in Brisbane to announce Germany’s exit from the Women’s World Cup 17 days before the final.

Alexandra Popp, the team’s captain, stated, “To be honest, I can’t comprehend it,” after the 1-1 tie with South Korea effectively ended their World Cup hopes.

She cupped her chin in her palms and blew out her cheeks in shock, saying, “I don’t know what I should really say.” To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what’s going on. Um, I have no idea.

It’s an emotion most Germans have never experienced.

They have won the Women’s World Cup twice and finished first in their group eight times in nine tournaments.

The second-ranked team in the world, who were the finalists in Euro 2022, were placed in a group with Colombia, Morocco, and South Korea.

“It is the biggest shock in the women’s game,” Fara Williams, a former England midfielder, said on BBC Two.

Karen Bardsley, a former goalie with the Lionesses, remarked, “This might be unparalleled in terms of scope. Everything about this tournament has been a whirlwind.

When the German men’s and women’s teams both depart the competition in the group stages within a nine-month span, it is unfathomable.

Germany’s head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg remarked, “If you want to see a disaster in terms of sport, it’s hard to argue against that.”

What we need to do is get back up off the ground and keep going. We have a deep appreciation for this sport. You can’t possibly anticipate a thorough examination just yet. This needs some processing time. I refuse to find justification in anything.