Quarter Finals
France 0 Germany 1:
Mats Hummels Header Seals Fourth Consecutive Semi-Final for Low's Side
- Andre Schurrle misses a sitter for Germany that could come back to haunt them
- France will need to raise the tempo and pace of this game for the second half
- Mats Hummels scores a fantastic header to give his side the lead
- Miroslav Klose starts for the Germans
- France advanced from last 16 after defeating Nigeria 2-0
- Germany set up Maracana clash after seeing off Algeria 2-1 in extra time
- European rivals meet in Rio looking for semi-final spot
Daily Mail UK, 4 July 2014
Germany became the first team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup as Mats Hummels' first half header gave them a hard-fought 1-0 win against France at the Maracana.
The Borussia Dortmund defender held off the challenge of Raphael Varane to loop home Toni Kroos' free-kick with his head in the 13th minute.
Mathieu Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann forced Manuel Neuer into fine saves but Les Bleus could not find an equaliser to force extra-time.
Joachim Low's side will now face the winner of Brazil vs Colombia for a place in the final on July 13.
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Match Zone
France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho (Koscielny 72), Evra, Valbuena (Giroud 85), Pogba, Cabaye (Remy 73), Matuidi, Griezmann, Benzema.
Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Cabella, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Schneiderlin.
Germany: Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Howedes, Ozil (Gotze 83), Kroos (Kramer 90+2), Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Muller, Klose (Schurrle 69).
Subs: Zieler, Weidenfeller, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Podolski, Draxler, Durm, Mertesacker.
Booked: Khedira, Schweinsteiger.
Goal: Hummels 13.
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
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Diving in: Mathieu Debuchy of France and Mario Goetze of Germany compete for the ball
90+4min: It does come for France! But a chance that falls for Benzema on the left results in him firing straight at Neuer from a tight angle who parries clear.
90+4min: We are into the final minute and France have hardly even seen the Germany penalty box. Their World cup hopes will surely be gone in 60 seconds.
Germany substitution
90+2min: None so far, and Germany are going to eat up a few more seconds now as Toni Kroos makes the slow walk off the pitch to be replaced by Christoph Kramer.
90min: There will be four additional minutes inside the Maracana. Plenty of time for France to create at least once chance...surely?
88min: You really wouldn't think this was a World Cup quarter-final France were playing in. They are on the brink of going out and have hardly shown any urgency to get back into this game.
In fact it's Germany who nearly score again, with a cut-back finding Schurrle inside the box, who again sees his shot blocked clear. Come on France, at least give it a go!
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'With little sign of a French onslaught, quite a few of the Brazilians in the crowd are rushing for the exits. They've got another quarter-final on their mind with kick-off in Fortaleza just two hours away.'
France substitution
85min: France have five minutes to save their World Cup hopes, and Didier Deschamps has made his final change by sending on Olivier Giroud for Valbuena.
Firing wide: Germany's forward Thomas Mueller (left) shoots past France's defender Mamadou Sakho
Germany substitution
83min: Second change for Germany as Ozil departs in favour of Mario Gotze.
82min: HUGE moment in this quarter-final. Germany break from a France corner, but despite Ozil running into acres of space on the left, his low cross somehow avoids Muller before finding an unmarked Schurrle at the back post.
The Chelsea forward has a whole goal to aim at but can only fire straight at Lloris who blocks clear. France are still in this... but only just.
79min: Griezmann's shooting has been poor but he is still a creative force for France as he draws a deliberate foul from Schweinsetiger, who is booked for what looks like an inverted mule kick (one without the power.)
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'A bizarre first substitution that from Deschamps unless Sakho picked up an injury. Loic Remy's introduction, however, makes a lot more sense. It's gone eerily quiet here for a quarter-final that's still on the line.'
lack of impact: Miroslav Klose of Germany shakes hands with Joachim Low as he walks off the pitch
76min: Finally this game may get the finale we've been hoping for! Griezmann has realised he can't shoot so instead chips a pass into the box which falls for Benzema. The striker neatly turns Lahm, but sees his low shot across goal superbly blocked by the last gasp tackle from Hummels.
Moments later Neuer saves well at his near post from Blaise Matuidi.
France substitution
73min: That's a more encouraging change for France! Deschamps goes attacking as he sends Loic Remy on for Yohan Cabaye, and he could be needed too after Griezmann's latest effort from the edge of the box flies horribly wide.
France substitution
72min: Muller drags a low shot wide via a deflection off Sakho (despite a goal kick being given) and it's the Liverpool defender's last course of action as he is replaced by Laurent Koscielny.
Running battle: France's Mathieu Valbuena reacts after taking a knock from Bastian Schweinsteiger
Germany substitution
69min: Didier Deschamps is keeping his cards close to his chest as Germany make the first change in withdrawing the ineffective Klose in place of Andre Schurrle.
67min: Boos from the Brazil crowd. The last 10 minutes at least have been a bit of a washout with very little action happening.
We've seen Schweiensteiger continue his battle with Valbuena by barging the forward to ground challenging for a header - and given the size difference he looked like a playground school bully doing it too.
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'Miroslav Klose, all 36 years of him, showing little signs of fatigue as he picked the ball up on the edge of his own box before going the length of the field on the attack. The second-half hasn't quite caught fire yet though.'
61min: France are at least asking questions of Neuer now, but the Germany keeper hasn't had to make one outstanding save yet in this half as the keeper comfortably collects a Varane header.
Halted: France's Antoine Griezmann (left) is fouled by Germany's Sami Khedira
Seeing yellow: Germany's Sami Khedira picked up the day's first yellow card
58min: So when will France up the tempo here? They've kept pace with Germany throughout this game, and the second half remains even.
But there are just 30 minutes left to play - will Didier Deschamps make a change soon?
55min: Griezmann soon makes up for it here though. After nutmegging Khedira to start a counter attack, the forward charges through the centre only for thw recovering (and slightly embarrassed) Germany midfielder to pull back his shirt and concede a free-kick on the halfway line.
Khedira's taken one for the team there and picks up a yellow card for his troubles.
Talking point: Argentine referee Nestor Pitana speaks to France's Patrice Evra
53min: If only... France could be left thinking what might have been here. A long ball falls over the shoulder of Griezmann inside the box, but in trying to control the ball can he only allow the ball to bounce off his knee and into Neuers's arms.
50min: Moments later, Schweinsteiger applies slightly less pressure with a similar challenge on Valbuena - but this time concedes a free-kick.
It nearly proves costly though, as a free-kick lofted into the box just evades the head of the unmarked Sakho as Neuer collects. The Liverpool defender was well offside but the flag had stayed down.
Standing tall: Germany's defender Mats Hummels (front) is beaten to a cross by France defender Raphael Varane
47min: Bit of a clumsy start from Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Germany midfield first fails to clear from a low cross, but follows up his first error with a rather pointless challenge into the back of Valbuena's legs inside the box
The France forward didn't make much of it though, so play is waved on but that was rather unconvincing from the Bayern Munich star.
SECOND-HALF: France restart - no changes for either side
Standing in the way: Karim Benzema (centre) had three shots blocked by Germany in the first half
PLAYER WATCH: Karim Benzema (France)
Has Karim Benzema turned into a goal hanger?
The France striker has only had three touches outside the box (one to take kick-off) but has been far more active inside the box.
His finishing hasn't quite been up to standard, but so far Germany have been quick to close him down when he gets the ball.
Will that remain the case as the sun continues to sap the energy out the players deep in the second half? Here's Benzema's heat map from the first period.
Can Les Bleus bounce back in the second-half?
The potential classic hasn't quite developed, but it's been a decent enough game in the Maracana and one Germany just about deserve their 1-0 lead in.
France still have positives to take out that first period. Griezmann and Valbuena have shown already they can stretch the German defence given the opportunity.
HALF-TIME: France 0-1 Germany
Reflex: Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (right) parries a shot towards France's Karim Benzema, whose rebound was deflected off target
From former World Cup referee and Sportsmail's Graham Poll
'A terrible header from Benzema who has the temerity to ask for a penalty. Argentinian referee Pitana (sporting super sweep over)waves appeals away. He’s not had much to do but hasn’t put a foot wrong yet.'
45min: France have left it late in the first half, but they are showing they are far from out of ammo. Benzema collects the ball on the left of the box, before dangerously beating two defenders as he cuts inside, only to fire straight at Neuer. One minute will be added on.
42min: Now it's France appealing for a penalty as Benzema's header at the back post cannons off Hummels' arm.
It would have been harsh to award it though, the Germany defender had his arms down and innocently placed.
Keeper's ball: France keeper Hugo lloris claims the ball in front of team-mate Patrice Evra and Germany's Thomas Muller
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'Still a long way to go but the German realignment really has paid off so far. Lahm is so comfortable in returning to the backline and it's given Bastian Schweinsteiger a new lease too as he's the one pulling the strings again.'
37min: There's a been a few Germany players going down inside the France penalty box, but Sami Khedira has a valid excuse here as he needs minor treatment after seeing a Debuchy clearance cannon off his face.
After regaining his thoughts off the pitch, the majority of the outfield players head off to the touchline for an unofficial drinks break.
Meanwhile, the referee looks like he is asking Thomas Muller where play went out (it seems his assistant didn't no either) which is quite extraordinary as play restarts with a sporting pass back to Lloris.
34min: Put those beach towels away! Griezmann leads a France counter on the right, before snapping a far post cross for Valbuena.
The forward's shot across goal is parried into the centre by Neuer but Benzema's rebound deflects over for a corner. That's about the first time France have even got near Germany's box for the last 15 minutes.
getting shirty: Mathieu Debuchy of France grabs the shirt of Miroslav Klose of Germany who tumbled to ground appealing for a penalty
31min: Even Lloris is starting to look uncertain from set-pieces as he comes to punch clear a corner only for his team-mate Varane to beat him to it. Les Bleus look a little lost at this stage.
You sense Germany may be getting ready to get the beach towels for a lie down in the afternoon sun if continues like this - they look very comfortable.
30min: Some concerns for France as Germany begin to wrestle control of the midfield and dominate. Joachim Low's team win a free-kick on the right of the box after Klose this time is fouled by Evra.
From former World Cup referee and Sportsmail's Graham Poll
'That’s a dive from Klose and yet again no yellow card from the referee. He’s free to dive again.'
Off his line: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (left) of Germany clears the ball in front of France's Karim Benzema
24min: Penalty for Germany? A certain no for me on a first look as Miroslav Klose looks like he takes a purposeful dive inside the box under pressure from Mathieu Debuchy, but replays show that the Newcastle defender did have a good hold of his shirt.
Advantage: Germany's Mats Hummels (centre) scores the opening goal for Germany after beating Raphael Varane to the ball
22min: France haven't lost their cool (in a thinking sense at least - it's still 30 degrees out there) as they opt against trying to launch a quick response.
Bit of a shame for us entertainment junkies, as this game has just started to meander along with no real flow.
19min: The goal did come slightly against the run of play, with Valbuena, Griezmann and Benzema all starting to give the Germany defence major headaches beforehand.
Since falling behind, France have been the better team too. On a side note that brings an end to a run which saw the last seven World Cup goals scored in extra time.
heading in: Mats Hummels of Germany scores his team's first goal past Hugo Lloris of France
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'Joachim Low brought Hummels back in at the expense of Per Mertesacker. Didier Deschamps brought Raphael Varane in at the expense of Laurent Koscielny. Those switches look to have worked out better for the Germans now.'
GOAL! France 0-1 GERMANY
13min: We've seen some cracking goals at this World Cup, but even the bread and butter stuff has been magnificent.
Bastian Schweinsteiger lofts a free-kick towards the back post where
Mats Hummels uses his strength to shrug off Raphael Varane, before nodding the ball into the top corner with a glancing header. Excellent set-piece goal.
head boy: Germany's defender Mats Hummels celebrates after scoring the opening goal
11min: I hope the alarm bells are ringing for Germany, because what Valbuena lacks in height he gains in attacking threat. The forward is picked out by Benzema inside the box, but his low central cross for Antonine Griezmann is cut out by the German defence.
Moments later Griezmann's low cross is again cut out with Benzema waiting in the box.
8min: That's about the first we have seen from France in an attacking sense - and it produces our first chance.
Mathieu Valbuena's bag of tricks sees him chip a ball back to Karim Benzema from the byline, with the France striker side-footing a 18-yard volley wide of Hugo Lloris's near post.
Good effort but the Spurs keeper had it covered.
Blast from the past: France's forward Karim Benzema (left) greets Germany's Mesut Ozil - the duo were former team-mates at Real Madrid
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'Germany took an absolute age to settle against Algeria last time out but have begun very steadily here. Already they look to have a better balance about them, but that's easy when France stand off this much.'
5min: France haven't going going here. Mamadou Sakho looks a little vulnerable at the back as Patrice Evra lazily trips Thomas Muller to concede a free-kick.
2min: 90 seconds - that's how long it takes for boos to go up in the crowd as Germany take the game to a defensive France side with a style of passing which isn't too probing or penetrating.
Bit harsh to boo at this stage but it's hardly the most barnstorming of openers.
Heat is on: The teams line up prior to the World Cup quarter-final in the Maracana
Sending out a message: Both teams poses with an ant-racism banner before the game
KICK-OFF: Germany get us going in the Rio sun
As usual we will have both anthems before the game (although I seem to recall France bizarrely failed to hear one of theirs earlier in the tournament) but we have just had both team captains read out anti-discrimination messages before the game - both well applauded by the crowd.
Best of enemies: Supporters of Germany and France pose prior to the quarter-final
Out come the teams in Rio...
There isn't a cloud in the sky as Hugo lloris and Philipp Lahm lead their respective countries out. It's one of the hottest days in Rio (30 degrees) at this World Cup - I hope that doesn't have an impact on the entertainment. This has the potential to be a classic.
Staying near the goal today, Manuel?
Manuel Neuer was more busy outside his box than in it against Algeria, as the Germany keeper played a very adventurous role as a sweeper keeper.
This may be the closest we see him to his own goal mouth today, but it's worth noting his opposite number Hugo Lloris also likes to go for walkies outside his penalty area.
Stretching it: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Germany warms up before the game
From Sportsmail's Joe Callaghan in Rio
'While not quite at Fortaleza levels, the heat really has ratcheted up in Rio over the past couple of hours. Germany had all three group matches in the hotter north-east venues. It might stand to them here.'
Looking confident: A German fan poses before the quarter-final clash in the Maracana
Strike a pose: Supporters pose for cameras inside the Maracana
Backing the Germans: England supporters hold a placard as they cheer ahead of the quarter-final between Germany and France
Under the sun: France's footballers warm up before the quarter-final match
So...who fancies a Merkel mask?
It's the World Cup which keeps delivering on the pitch, but fans are also taking me by surprise on a daily basis...
We all want a team of Merkels: Germany fans wear masks bearing the image of German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Better than sun cream: Germany fans enjoy the atmosphere with faces painted showing the colours of the national flag
Fly the flag: A France fan waves her national flag as she cheers from inside the Maracana
ON THIS DAY: Germany won their first ever World Cup (1954)
Okay, okay, it was 'West' Germany which triumphed technically, but back in the 1950s their 3-2 victory over Hungary was a huge shock.
The Hungarians had the likes of the great Ferenc Puskas in their side and were huge favourites to lift the trophy in Switzerland - considering as they had already beaten West Germany 8-3 in the group stage...
Shock: West Germany's Helmut Rahn (centre) with arms raised, celebrates after equalising from a corner