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Agence France-Presse

Mats Hummels headed Germany into the World Cup’s last four as his first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win over France in Friday’s quarter-final at Brazil 2014.
The centre-back’s powerful 12th-minute header at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium means Germany now face hosts Brazil, who beat Colombia 2-1, in Tuesday’s semi-final at Belo Horizonte.
Germany produced a polished, improved display on their extra-time win over Algeria in the last 16, to constantly frustrate France’s potent attack spearheaded by Karim Benzema.


WATCH: Mats Hummels' winner for Germany

This is the 13th time in 20 attempts Germany have reached the World Cup’s semi-finals and the fourth in succession since bowing out of the quarter-finals at France ’98.
“The next dream has come true,” beamed Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels after claiming his second goal of Brazil 2014 and his fourth in 34th appearances for  Germany.
“It’s unbelievable that it’s all going so well for us here at the World Cup.
“I hope that our journey won’t end soon and that we can make it back to compete here week next Sunday.”
French coach Didier Deschamps, who captained Les Bleus to the 1998 triumph, suffered his first defeat in 11 World Cup games as either a player or trainer.
“Germany were on a higher level today,” he said.
Watch: Germans revel in victory over France in Rio

Seven of the German squad had suffered with mild flu in the build-up as Hummels retured to take Per Mertesacker’s place at centre-back.
Miroslav Klose, the joint top-scorer at World Cup finals with 15 goals, was prefered up front with Thomas Mueller switching to the right wing.
Deschamps made two changes from the side who beat Nigeria in the last 16 with centre-back Mamadou Sakho back after a hamstring complaint while Antoine Griezmann replaced Olivier Giroud in attack.

Despite the Germans stranglehold on early possession, the first real chance feel to Benzema, who fired wide after seven minutes.
The Germans took the lead when Hummels, back in the side after missing Monday’s win over Algeria with flu, rose highest to head Toni Kroos’ free-kick.
His bullet header smashed in off the crossbar to claim his second goal of Brazil 2014 having also scored with a similar header in the 4-0 opening win over Portugal.
The goal rocked the French defence as the Germans started exerting pressure.
Klose’s run into the box was held back by a tug on his shirt from right-back Mathieu Debuchy, while a Thomas Mueller half-chance was quickly snubbed out.
France’s best chance came on 33 minutes when Mathieu Valbuena’s shot was saved by Manuel Neuer and Benzema failed to control the follow-up, firing over the bar.
The French came close to being awarded a penalty just before the break when Benzema’s header hit Hummels in the stomach, missing his hands by inches.
The Real Madrid star then later fired straight at Neuer on a frustrating afternoon as it stayed 1-0 to Germany at the break.
Sami Khedira earned a deserved booking for fouling Griezmann on 54 minutes as France enjoyed a good spell of pressure as centre-back Raphael Varane’s header went straight to Neuer’s grateful hands.
Deschamps threw on forward Loic Remy and defender Laurent Koscielny for the final 20 minutes in a final throw of the dice.
But Germany’s replacement Andre Schuerrle should have made it 2-0 when he fired at French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ feet, then had a late shot blocked.
Neuer’s late save to deny Benzema means Germany head coach Joachim Loew has now reached the semi-finals of all of the last four major tournaments during his eight-year reign.


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Fifa World Cup 2014

France 0 Germany 1: Mats Hummels sends Germans into semi-finals

Germany celebrate yet another semi-final. Photo: AFP

Hummels wheels away in celebration. Photo: EPA

Mats Hummels beats Raphael Varane to score the only goal. Photo: AP

Mats Hummels heads in. Photo: AP

France keeper Hugo Lloris can't get near Hummels' header. Photo: EPA

Arsenal teammates Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny hug as they leave the pitch. Photo: AP

France are distraught at the end. Photo: AP

Brazil 2 Colombia 1: David Luiz stunner sends hosts through to semis

David Luiz watches his free-kick sail over the wall towards the top corner. Photo: EPA

David Luiz lets fly. Photo: EPA

David Luiz dishes out some punishment to the corner flag as he celebrates. Photo: AP

Thiago Silva knocks in at the back post to put Brazil ahead. Photo: AFP

Thiago Silva's effort hits the net. Photo: AFP

Thiago Silva celebrates his goal. Photo: AFP

David Luiz celebrates the opener. Photo: AFP

David Luiz celebrates his goal. Photo: Reuters

James Rodriguez puts Julio Cesar the wrong way from the penalty spot. Photo: AP

James Rodriguez celebrates his goal as Neymar looks on, but it was Brazil's No.10 who ended up on the winning side. Photo: Reuters

James Rodriguez counts the number of times he was fouled in the last couple of minutes. Photo: EPA

David Luiz comforts a crying James Rodriguez at the end. Photo: Reuters

James Rodriguez couldn't inspire Colombia to victory. Photo: AP

Neymar is stretchered off after being kneed in the back. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Defender's header the only difference between European rivals in closely-contested game


France 0 Germany 1: Mats Hummels sends Germans into semi-finals

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Defender's header the only difference between European rivals in closely-contested game

Defender's header the only difference between European rivals in closely-contested game