World Cup Report: France 0-1 Germany

Germany are through to the semi-finals of the World cup after they defeated France 1-0 in a drab affair at the Maracana.

Mats Hummels scored the only goal of the game after 13 minutes as both sides struggled to produce their best on the big occasion.

Germany manager Joachim Low made three changes from Monday’s extra time victory over Algeria with Hummels, Sami Khedira and Miroslav Klose all coming into the side while Karim Benzmea returned to the middle for France as Didier Deschamps selected Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann ahead of Olivier Giroud.

France had the first shot in anger on eight minutes as Mathieu Valbuena worked a yard of space down the right and his chipped ball into the box was volleyed wide by the in-form Benzema.

Germany’s high defensive line was almost guilty of being caught out again as Mamadou Sakho’s long ball was gathered by an onside Antoine Griezmann but the winger’s delivery was dealt with by Mats Hummels as Benzema waited for a tap in.

A soft foul by Paul Pogba on Toni Kroos’ gave Germany the opportunity to put the ball into the box and Hummels evaded the attention of Raphael Varane to head the ball past Hugo Lloris off the underside of the crossbar.  

France struggled to break down a resolute German defence for much of the remainder of the first half but they did create one excellent chance as Griezmann crossed for Valbuena whose effort was saved and Benzema’s follow up from a few yards was deflected over by the outstanding Hummels.

Germany dropped deeper as the second half developed which frustrated a clueless French attack with Varane’s header from Valbuena’s cross the only effort to test Manuel Neuer.

Trying to play out from the back, France almost shot themselves in the foot as Sakho lost the ball 20 yards from goal and Kroos picked out the run of substitute Andre Schurrle but the Liverpool man redeemed himself as he deflected Schurrle’s shot behind.

Benzema had one final chance to bring the game to extra time but after being put through by substitute Giroud, the striker’s powerful drive was beaten away by the underworked Neuer as Germany advanced.

The victory marks Germany’s fourth consecutive appearance at the semi final stage, a World Cup record, where they will face the winners of Brazil versus Colombia for a spot in Sunday’s grand final.

France:Hugo Lloris; Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho, Patrice Evra; Blasie Matuidi, Yohann Cabaye, Paul Pogba; Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann.

Booked: None

Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Howedes; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira; Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil; Miroslav Klose.

Booked: Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)

Attendance: 74,240

Extratime Man of the Match: Mats Hummels (Germany)