Germany have started apologising to the fans on social media for another early World Cup exit.
"We let Germany down. That hurts. There's nothing more to say right now," striker Deniz Undav said on Instagram, adding: "Thank you for this opportunity."
Germany went out 4-3 on penalties against Paraguay in the round of 32, with Nick Woltemade, Jonathan Tah and Kai Havertz failing to convert from the spot.
"I wanted to take responsibility, and I did take responsibility. But that also means having to live with the consequences — even when it hurts," forward Woltemade said on Instagram.
He said in general terms: "The way my first World Cup ended hits me hard. We fell short of our own standards and expectations. Now we need to honestly analyze why it didn't work out.
"Thank you for all your encouraging words. It means a lot to me! Together, we'll get back on our feet!"
Havertz, who had scored the 1-1 equalizer in regulation and like Undav finished the tournament with three goals, spoke of "a very disappointing end of the World Cup.
"As a team, we're incredibly sorry that, after such a positive start, we couldn't live up to the nation's expectations and that our tournament has come to an end so early," he said.
Four-time champions Germany won their first two matches against Curacao and Ivory Coast before losing the last group match against Ecuador and then going out in the first knock-out match against Paraguay.
