Germany in semis at France\\\'s cost

An early Mats Hummels header proved enough for Germany to beat France 1-0 in a tense, error-strewn and largely uninspiring World Cup quarter-final at the Maracana on Friday. The defender scored the only goal of a match neither team ever took control of when he headed in a free kick from Toni Kroos after 13 minutes. In a game of few clear chances, Germany keeper Manuel Neuer denied France a chance of an extra 30 minutes when he blocked Karim Benzema's effort deep into stoppage time. Germany, the first country to qualify for four successive semi-finals, will meet hosts Brazil in the semis next week. The three-time winners went ahead when they won a free kick on the left after Paul Pogba fouled Kroos who took the free kick himself and swung a perfectly flighted ball towards Hummels. The centre back launched himself at the ball and held off defender Raphael Varane in the same movement and powerfully flicked the ball in with it grazing the underside of Hugo Lloris's bar for his second goal of the tournament. France took time to respond but came close to an equaliser in the 34th minute when Mathieu Valbuena shot from close range but was denied by a superb save from Neuer who turned the ball away with his left hand. Either because of the sun beating down from a cloudless sky or because of the tension of the occasion, neither team played well, although France were particularly poor, according to Reuters.