Germany beats France 1-0 to reach World Cup semis

Germany beats France 1-0 to reach World Cup semis

Germany beats France 1-0 to reach World Cup semis

A first-half Mats Hummels goal was enough for Germany to see off France in the first quarter-final of the 2014 World Cup in Rio on Friday.The Germans started as the brighter side in the 30 Celsius heat of the Maracana and got their reward 13 minutes in when centre-back Hummels rose to head home from a superb Toni Kroos freekick.France had chances to get back into the game before the end of the first half, the best coming on 33 minutes when Mathieu Valbuena's shot was saved by Manuel Neuer and Karim Benzema failed to convert the rebound.After the break, French coach Didier Deschamps tried to add verve to the France attack after the break, bringing on Loic Remy and Olivier Giroud.But Germany defended well and looked in control towards the end as France seemed to tire.Benzema though had a great chance to level the game in the dying seconds but failed to beat German keeper Manuel Neuer from close range,France24