Germany have beaten France 1-0 at the Maracana to qualify for the semifinals of the World cup in Brazil. The result qualified the Germans for their fourth straight semifinals in as many World Cups.
Mats Hummels headed Toni Kroos’ free kick in off the underside of the bar in the 13th minute in one of the few chances created in muggy conditions at Maracana stadium.
While France fought hard to overcome the deficit it was unable to breach Germany’s non-nonsense and ever-present defensive wall.
German sub Andre Schurrle missed two clear chances to ice the game in the final 10 minutes, but in the end it mattered little as Joachim Loew’s side kept on rolling.
Karim Benzema had one final chance to equalize for France, with only a minute to go in stoppage time, but his fierce left-footed strike was comfortably parried by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany is not the flashiest team in this tournament but it is undeniably one of the best, and now sits two more wins away from the title as they await the winner of the match between Brazil and Colombia later today.
