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World Cup - Brazil 2014

Friday, 4 July 2014,

France
0
-
Full Time
Live
-
1
Germany
  • Kickoff: 17:00 BST
  • Stadium: Estadio do Maracanã
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Estadio do Maracanã
  • Attendance: 74,240
    • 12' Mats Hummels

    France

    Half time

    Full time

    Germany

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    France vs. Germany: 50-50 preview

    France and Germany face each other in a mouth-watering quarterfinal at the Maracana this Friday; Jonathan Johnson (France) and Stephan Uersfeld (Germany) preview the tie.

    Sum up your tournament so far

    Jonathan Johnson: It has been a very good World Cup campaign for France in Brazil so far. By reaching the quarterfinal stage, Les Bleus have achieved everything they set out to at the start, and anything gained from this point onward is a bonus.

    There have been slight question marks over coach Didier Deschamps' chopping and changing of the team -- notably against Ecuador in the final Group E clash -- but no genuine complaints. With their place in the last eight now secure, the French will approach this match free from the weight of any expectations and should be able to fully express themselves against a surprisingly vulnerable Germany side.

    Stephan Uersfeld: The 2014 World Cup for Germany begins in the quarterfinals. It usually does; Die Nationalmannschaft have never failed to qualify for the final eight, and have done so again with a 2-1 extra-time win against Algeria. That is the good news for Joachim Loew's XI, which started off the tournament in style.

    But ever since that 4-0 victory against a lacklustre Portugal, Germany have failed to live up to the huge expectations in the country. A 2-2 draw against Ghana, with some wild defending and attacking toward the end, was followed by a cynical 1-0 win over the United States. Loew has invented a defending line of four centre-backs. It has, so far, not been the best idea. Discussion about Philipp Lahm's role and the midfield formation have also overshadowed the run to the quarterfinals.

    WC history between the two countries 

    JJ: When people think of France versus Germany at the World Cup, the first thought to go through almost every French football fan's head -- possibly Germans' too -- is the infamous clash between French defender Patrick Battiston and West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher during the 1982 semifinal in Spain. Les Bleus eventually lost 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw that is remembered for both the right and wrong reasons.

    That was the pair's second meeting on the World Cup stage, though, with France having beaten the West Germans 6-3 to secure third place at the 1958 edition in Sweden. Four years after the Battiston incident, the two met again in Mexico -- also in the semifinals -- but France were beaten 2-0 and so Germany lead the World Cup head-to-head two to one. Recent meetings have been limited to friendlies, but Les Tricolores boast a good record, having won three of the past five since 2001.

    SE: The two nations have not met at the World Cup in 28 years. They will play each other for the fourth time at the highest level. In 1958, France beat holders Germany 6-3 in the match for third place. In 1986, their last meeting, Andy Brehme and Rudi Voeller sealed Die Nationalmannschaft's second consecutive final.

    Like in 1982, they lost the final. But it was that meeting in 1982, also in the semifinal in Sevilla, that will be discussed ahead of Friday's meeting: Gijon, Gijon, Battiston -- that ugly Harald Schumacher foul on Patrick Battiston. For Germany, this World Cup has 1982 written all over it. The fear of another "Schande von Gijon" against the U.S., Algeria wanting revenge for it, and just falling short. Now France versus Germany, Battiston versus Schumacher.

    What are your expectations for the rest of the tournament?

    JJ: Deschamps and his players set out to reach the quarterfinals, laying the foundations for a deeper run and a shot at ultimate success in the 2016 European Championship on home soil two years later. Whatever happens next, this Brazilian sojourn has already been a success. France supporters will need no reminding of how close Les Bleus came to failing to reach Brazil, and the way the team have reinvented themselves under Deschamps in such a short space of time has been extremely impressive. If the French can knock out the Germans, arguably the strongest overall team left in the competition, then they will really believe they can go on to win the whole thing.

    SU: Low and Die Nationalmannschaft need to get their act together. "Do you want us to play beautiful football and get eliminated once again," a frustrated Per Mertesacker raged at a TV reporter following the 2-1 win against Algeria. Germany want to win the title, no matter how they do it. And if that means winning ugly, then that is what they will do. Whereas there have been comparisons to 2002, when Die Nationalmannschaft ended up in the final against Brazil much to their own surprise, and playing ugly football, this team has much more quality.

    They can win ugly, and they can win beautiful. And they can make the World Cup final. But they need to attack directly, not lose balls, and finally sort out the Philipp Lahm-Bastian Schweinsteiger-Sami Khedira midfield/full-back mess. And it would be quite useful if Mesut Oezil and Mario Goetze show up to the games, too.

    Key Battle

    JJ: Considering how vulnerable Germany looked in defence against Algeria without Mats Hummels, the key battle in this one will be Karim Benzema up against the Borussia Dortmund man (assuming he recovers from illness in time to play). Deschamps chose to start with Olivier Giroud as the focal point of the front three against Nigeria because of his strength and aerial ability. Although he did prove a physical match for the Africans -- possibly tiring them out before the introduction of the whippet-like Antoine Griezmann -- the Arsenal man is not likely to have the same impact against a German back line almost certain to be made up of four central defenders. Instead, the France coach will likely start Griezmann on the left, moving Benzema inside, with Mathieu Valbuena on the right. That will put Benzema in direct competition with Hummels, and the Real Madrid man will fancy his chances against a one-paced German back line.

    SU: Benedikt Hoewedes versus Mathieu Valbuena. Against Switzerland, France enjoyed their best match of the tournament. They played fast, they used the wings and tore the Swiss defense apart. Didier Deschamps' XI won balls and directly played them to the wings. On the right, Valbuena enjoyed a terrific match against Ricardo Rodriguez, a left-back with international class. On Friday, the 29-year-old Marseille winger is set to clash with Loew's makeshift left-back Benedikt Hoewedes. The Schalke captain, an exceptional centre-back, has struggled in previous games. And despite playing higher up the field, he has not helped the team in attack, and his body height makes him vulnerable against the short winger.

    Prediction

    JJ: This will be a tight and entertaining 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, which lives up to its billing as the heavyweight clash of the World Cup so far. It will either remain level at 1-1 during extra time, or both teams will score again to finish tied at 2-2 after 120 minutes. Either way, it will ultimately come down to penalties and we all know what happens then ... The Germans always win on penalties. Or do they?

    SU: It will be a huge fight between the two neighbouring countries. Germany are under pressure to win, and can indeed qualify for their fourth straight World Cup semifinal. And, in the end, the experienced midfield and discipline will win the match for Germany. The 3-2 result coming only after extra time.

    91'+4

    Second Half ends, France 0, Germany 1.

    91'+3

    Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (France) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Olivier Giroud.

    91'+3

    Olivier Giroud (France) Assists Shot at 94'

    91'+3

    Hugo Lloris (France) Free Kick at 94'

    91'+3

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    91'+2

    Jérome Boateng (Germany) Free Kick at 93'

    91'+2

    Mario Götze (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    91'+2

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 93'

    91'+2

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Free Kick at 93'

    91'+1

    Substitution, Germany. Christoph Kramer replaces Toni Kroos.

    91'+1

    Foul by Olivier Giroud (France).

    91'+1

    Hugo Lloris (France) Free Kick at 92'

    91'

    Foul by Sami Khedira (Germany).

    91'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 91'

    91'

    Manuel Neuer (Germany) Free Kick at 91'

    90'

    Mats Hummels (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    89'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 89'

    89'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 89'

    88'

    Raphaël Varane (France) Free Kick at 88'

    88'

    Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    88'

    Attempt blocked. André Schürrle (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thomas Müller.

    88'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) Assists Shot at 88'

    87'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 87'

    87'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 87'

    86'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 86'

    86'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 86'

    85'

    Hugo Lloris (France) Free Kick at 85'

    85'

    Foul by André Schürrle (Germany).

    85'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 85'

    85'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Blocked Pass at 85'

    85'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 85'

    85'

    Substitution, France. Olivier Giroud replaces Mathieu Valbuena.

    84'

    André Schürrle (Germany) Corner Kick at 84'

    84'

    Corner, Germany. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.

    84'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 84'

    83'

    Substitution, Germany. Mario Götze replaces Mesut Özil.

    82'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 82'

    82'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 82'

    82'

    Attempt saved. André Schürrle (Germany) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Thomas Müller.

    81'

    Corner, France. Conceded by Mats Hummels.

    81'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Corner Kick at 81'

    81'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Free Kick at 81'

    80'

    Patrice Evra (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.

    80'

    Laurent Koscielny (France) Free Kick at 80'

    80'

    Bastian Schweinsteiger

    80'

    Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) Foul at 80'

    79'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 79'

    79'

    Dangerous play by Blaise Matuidi (France).

    79'

    Raphaël Varane (France) Free Kick at 79'

    78'

    Loïc Remy (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    78'

    Jérome Boateng (Germany) Free Kick at 78'

    78'

    Paul Pogba (France) Foul at 78'

    78'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 78'

    77'

    Attempt saved. Blaise Matuidi (France) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Loïc Remy with a cross.

    77'

    Loïc Rémy (France) Assists Shot at 77'

    76'

    Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (France) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross.

    76'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Assists Shot at 76'

    75'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 75'

    75'

    Laurent Koscielny (France) Blocked Pass at 75'

    74'

    Attempt missed. Mathieu Valbuena (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.

    74'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Assists Shot at 74'

    73'

    Attempt saved. André Schürrle (Germany) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Thomas Müller with a headed pass.

    73'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) Assists Shot at 73'

    73'

    Substitution, France. Loïc Remy replaces Yohan Cabaye.

    73'

    Attempt missed. Antoine Griezmann (France) left footed shot from long range on the right misses to the left. Assisted by Raphael Varane.

    73'

    Raphaël Varane (France) Assists Shot at 73'

    72'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 72'

    72'

    Yohan Cabaye (France) Free Kick at 72'

    72'

    Hand ball by Philipp Lahm (Germany).

    72'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 72'

    72'

    Substitution, France. Laurent Koscielny replaces Mamadou Sakho because of an injury.

    71'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 71'

    71'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 71'

    70'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Blocked Pass at 70'

    69'

    Attempt missed. Thomas Müller (Germany) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Toni Kroos.

    69'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Assists Shot at 69'

    69'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 69'

    69'

    Substitution, Germany. André Schürrle replaces Miroslav Klose.

    68'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 68'

    67'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 67'

    67'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 67'

    67'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Blocked Pass at 67'

    67'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 67'

    66'

    Hugo Lloris (France) Free Kick at 66'

    65'

    Patrice Evra (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    65'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 65'

    65'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    65'

    Manuel Neuer (Germany) Free Kick at 65'

    64'

    Hand ball by Karim Benzema (France).

    64'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Corner Kick at 64'

    64'

    Corner, France. Conceded by Philipp Lahm.

    64'

    Yohan Cabaye (France) Free Kick at 64'

    62'

    Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) Foul at 62'

    61'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Throw In at 61'

    61'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 61'

    60'

    Attempt saved. Raphael Varane (France) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Yohan Cabaye with a cross.

    60'

    Yohan Cabaye (France) Assists Shot at 60'

    60'

    Corner, France. Conceded by Bastian Schweinsteiger.

    59'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 59'

    59'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    59'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 59'

    58'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 58'

    58'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 58'

    58'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 58'

    57'

    Blaise Matuidi (France) Blocked Pass at 57'

    55'

    Attempt missed. Toni Kroos (Germany) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bastian Schweinsteiger following a fast break.

    55'

    Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) Assists Shot at 55'

    55'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 55'

    55'

    Mamadou Sakho (France) Free Kick at 55'

    54'

    Sami Khedira

    54'

    Foul by Sami Khedira (Germany).

    53'

    Hugo Lloris (France) Free Kick at 53'

    52'

    Raphael Varane (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    52'

    Mesut Özil (Germany) Corner Kick at 52'

    52'

    Corner, Germany. Conceded by Yohan Cabaye.

    51'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 51'

    50'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Throw In at 50'

    50'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Free Kick at 50'

    49'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

    49'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 49'

    49'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Blocked Pass at 49'

    49'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 49'

    47'

    Manuel Neuer (Germany) Free Kick at 47'

    47'

    Offside, France. Mamadou Sakho tries a through ball, but Mathieu Valbuena is caught offside.

    46'

    Second Half begins France 0, Germany 1.

    46'

    Halftime

    46'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 46'

    45'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 45'

    45'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 45'

    44'

    Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Paul Pogba.

    44'

    Paul Pogba (France) Assists Shot at 44'

    44'

    Yohan Cabaye (France) Blocked Pass at 44'

    44'

    Raphaël Varane (France) Free Kick at 44'

    43'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    43'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 43'

    43'

    Manuel Neuer (Germany) Free Kick at 43'

    42'

    Offside, France. Mamadou Sakho tries a through ball, but Mathieu Debuchy is caught offside.

    42'

    Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (France) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrice Evra with a cross.

    42'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Assists Shot at 42'

    42'

    Yohan Cabaye (France) Blocked Pass at 42'

    41'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Blocked Pass at 41'

    41'

    Attempt blocked. Mats Hummels (Germany) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos with a cross.

    41'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Assists Shot at 41'

    41'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 41'

    40'

    Foul by Mathieu Debuchy (France).

    37'

    Raphaël Varane (France) Blocked Pass at 37'

    37'

    Jérome Boateng (Germany) Free Kick at 37'

    36'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    36'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Free Kick at 36'

    36'

    Foul by Thomas Müller (Germany).

    36'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 36'

    35'

    Attempt missed. Mamadou Sakho (France) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.

    34'

    Corner, France. Conceded by Thomas Müller.

    34'

    Karim Benzema (France) Corner Kick at 34'

    34'

    Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (France) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

    34'

    Karim Benzema (France) Corner Kick at 34'

    34'

    Corner, France. Conceded by Mats Hummels.

    34'

    Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (France) left footed shot from very close range is blocked.

    34'

    Attempt saved. Mathieu Valbuena (France) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross.

    34'

    Antoine Griezmann (France) Assists Shot at 34'

    32'

    Paul Pogba (France) Free Kick at 32'

    32'

    Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    31'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 31'

    30'

    Mesut Özil (Germany) Corner Kick at 30'

    30'

    Corner, Germany. Conceded by Mamadou Sakho.

    30'

    Attempt blocked. Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mesut Özil with a cross.

    30'

    Mesut Özil (Germany) Assists Shot at 30'

    30'

    Mesut Özil (Germany) Free Kick at 30'

    29'

    Miroslav Klose (Germany) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    28'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 28'

    27'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 27'

    23'

    Mats Hummels (Germany) Free Kick at 23'

    23'

    Offside, France. Raphael Varane tries a through ball, but Karim Benzema is caught offside.

    22'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 22'

    22'

    Patrice Evrà (France) Throw In at 22'

    21'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 21'

    20'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 20'

    20'

    Miroslav Klose (Germany) wins a free kick on the left wing.

    19'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 19'

    19'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 19'

    19'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

    18'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 18'

    18'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 18'

    18'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 18'

    17'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 17'

    15'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 15'

    14'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Blocked Pass at 14'

    14'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 14'

    14'

    Mesut Özil (Germany) Throw In at 14'

    12'

    0 - 1

    Goal! France 0, Germany 1. Mats Hummels (Germany) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Toni Kroos with a cross following a set piece situation.

    12'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Assists Shot at 12'

    12'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) Free Kick at 12'

    12'

    Toni Kroos (Germany) wins a free kick on the left wing.

    12'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Blocked Pass at 12'

    11'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 11'

    10'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 10'

    9'

    Mathieu Debuchy (France) Throw In at 9'

    9'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 9'

    8'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Free Kick at 8'

    8'

    Hand ball by Toni Kroos (Germany).

    7'

    Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (France) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Mathieu Valbuena.

    7'

    Mathieu Valbuena (France) Assists Shot at 7'

    7'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Blocked Pass at 7'

    6'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Free Kick at 6'

    5'

    Thomas Müller (Germany) wins a free kick on the right wing.

    5'

    Philipp Lahm (Germany) Throw In at 5'

    4'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 4'

    4'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 4'

    3'

    Attempt blocked. Toni Kroos (Germany) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

    1'

    Benedikt Höwedes (Germany) Throw In at 1'

    1'

    First Half begins.

    Show all commentary

    Possession

    49%
    51%
    • France
    • Germany

    Shots

    13
    9

    Shots on target

    5
    3

    Fouls

    15
    17

    Corners

    5
    3

    Yellow Cards

    0
    2

    Red Cards

    0
    0

    Head to Head

    France0 - 1Germany
    France1 - 2Germany
    Germany1 - 2France
    France0 - 0Germany
    Germany0 - 3France

    France

    • 1Hugo Lloris
    • 5Mamadou Sakho
    • -> Laurent Koscielny
    • 2Mathieu Debuchy
    • 4Raphaël Varane
    • 3Patrice Evrà
    • 19Paul Pogba
    • 14Blaise Matuidi
    • 10Karim Benzema
    • 11Antoine Griezmann
    • 8Mathieu Valbuena
    • -> Olivier Giroud
    • 6Yohan Cabaye
    • -> Loïc Rémy
    • Subs
    • 17Lucas Digne
    • 7Rémy Cabella
    • 12Rio Mavuba
    • 23Mickaël Landreau
    • 16Stéphane Ruffier
    • 22Morgan Schneiderlin
    • 13Eliaquim Mangala
    • 18Moussa Sissoko
    • 15Bacary Sagna

    Germany

    • 1Manuel Neuer
    • 4Benedikt Höwedes
    • 16Philipp Lahm
    • 20Jérome Boateng
    • 5Mats Hummels
    • 7Bastian Schweinsteiger
    • 18Toni Kroos
    • -> Cristoph Kramer
    • 11Miroslav Klose
    • -> André Schürrle
    • 6Sami Khedira
    • 8Mesut Özil
    • -> Mario Götze
    • 13Thomas Müller
    • Subs
    • 2Kevin Grosskreutz
    • 10Lukas Podolski
    • 12Ron-Robert Zieler
    • 15Erik Durm
    • 14Julian Draxler
    • 3Matthias Ginter
    • 17Per Mertesacker
    • 22Roman Weidenfeller

    Hummels heads Germany into semis

    Germany reached their 13th World Cup semifinal as a goal from Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels saw Joachim Low's side beat France 1-0 at the Maracana.

    Low, who also guided Germany to the last four in South Africa four years ago, sprung a surprise by starting Miroslav Klose up front and moving captain Philipp Lahm to right-back from the central midfield berth he had occupied for most of the tournament.

    It was Klose's first start at this year's finals -- he did not feature at all in the round of 16 victory over Algeria -- but he was unable to grab the goal that would have seen him become the World Cup's outright all-time leading scorer.

    Germany instead had a defender to thank for their winning goal as Hummels escaped the clutches of Raphael Varane to superbly head home Toni Kroos' 13th-minute free kick.

    It was Hummels' second goal at the tournament following his strike against Portugal in the group stage.

    Before going behind, France had come close to opening the scoring when Mathieu Valbuena teed up Karim Benzema, only for the Real Madrid man to slot the ball wide. Moments later, Antoine Griezmann -- replacing Olivier Giroud in the starting lineup --- sprung the offside trap but failed to cross for an unmarked Benzema.

    With France's midfield trio of Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi struggling to exert the sort of influence they managed in previous games, Germany enjoyed the better of possession, though it was Les Bleus who had a real opportunity to equalise before half-time -- Manuel Neuer saving from Valbuena and Hummels preventing Benzema from bundling in the rebound.

    After the interval, France gained a foothold in the game but struggled to break through Germany's resolute defence. Loic Remy was thrown on by Deschamps and he looked to make an early impact, chasing down a Varane pass and playing in Benzema, only for Les Bleus' No. 9 to see his shot blocked.

    Matuidi went close for France as Neuer saved his half-volleyed effort before Germany should have put the game to bed -- a late three on two counter-attack resulting in Hugo Lloris making a smart save from Andre Schurrle. 

    Benzema had one final opportunity in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Neuer produced an excellent save to preserve the 1-0 victory. 




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