Germany eased into the semifinals of World Cup 2014 with a 1-0 win over an insipid France in Rio de Janeiro on Friday afternoon. Defender Mats Hummels scored the only goal of the game when he out-muscled Rafael Varane to head a Toni Kroos free kick into the upper reaches of the net in the 12th minute.

Having gained an early lead, the Germans were able to play a high defensive line and smother the French midfield, a puzzle the French were completely unable to solve.

On the few occasions the French did break through, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was able keep his team in the game, producing two fine one-handed saves — one in each half — to thwart France’s Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema, respectively.

Germany will now play in its fourth successive semifinal when it faces the winner of the Brazil-Colombia match in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

AP

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