Germany beat France to reach fourth successive semi-final

Germany reached their fourth consecutive World Cup semifinal after defender Mats Hummels’ first-half header gave the three-time winners a 1-0 victory over France at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana on Friday.

Centre back Hummels, who scored in Germany’s first group game but missed the last-16 win over Algeria due to illness, beat Raphael Varane to a Toni Kroos free kick and glanced a header past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 13th minute.

Manuel Neuer made a terrific save from Mathieu Valbuena 10 minutes before halftime to preserve Germany’s lead, and then blocked Blaise Matuidi’s powerful effort midway through the second half as France pressed for the equaliser.

Germany went on the counter from a French corner, but Thomas Muller hit a fresh-air shot and when it came through to the unmarked Andreas Schurrle he scuffed the finish, allowing Hugo Lloris to parry with an outstretched leg from 12 yards.

For all their attacking, France looked the likelier side to concede, rather than the one score (the equaliser).

Schurrle had another shot charged down by Varane after Muller burst past Evra on the right.

There was one last chance in stoppage-time when Benzema went clear, but he tried to fire in at the near top corner from a tight angle and found only a big Neuer hand.

Germany will now meet the winner in the game between Brazil and Colombia in the semifinal to be played on Tuesday.