Germany became the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels' early header proved enough to see them past France at the Maracana. The three-time champions needed extra time to beat Algeria in the last sixteen and several of their players had suffered a bout of illness in midweek, but they were comfortable victors over a hugely disappointing France in Rio de Janeiro. Hummels got the better of Raphaël Varane to score what proved to be the winning goal and Germany can now prepare for a meeting with hosts Brazil in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Although the German keeper Manuel Neuer gave another faultless performance, Joachim Löw's team deserved their win against a France side who failed to hit the heights of their performances earlier in the tournament. It was sixty years to the day since Germany recovered a two-goal deficit to upset Hungary in the 1954 final and this will go down as another memorable day in their history. In the build-up Low dismissed talk of France seeking revenge for 1982, when Germany goalkeeper Toni Schumacher - and his nasty perm - escaped punishment for a brutal challenge on Patrick Battiston and went on to save two penalties as his side came through the World's Cup's first ever penalty shootout to reach the final. But what could not be ignored was Germany's greater experience and, despite a reconfigured starting line-up and doubts over their health, they again showed their international pedigree. 
Hummels returned to central defence after a bout of 'flu-like symptoms', with Per Mertesacker unexpectedly the man to make way as Germany looked to contain France's quick forwards. Philipp Lahm moved from midfield to right-back in place of Shkodran Mustafi, Sami Khedira coming into midfield, and there was a surprise start for thirty six-year-old Miroslav Klose in attack. Germany looked far more balanced than against Algeria in their last match and a period of sustained pressured told when Hummels held off Varane to guide home a Toni Kroos free-kick. It was the first time that France had gone behind in the tournament and the first time they had conceded in the opening half. Their afternoon could have got worse when Mathieu Debuchy challenged Klose in the box, only for referee Nestor Pitana to ignore the German appeals. Les Bleus were struggling to find any rhythm as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Khedira and the excellent Kroos ruled the midfield, but they soon began to expose Germany's dangerously high defensive line. Antoine Griezmann broke clear and crossed for Mathieu Valbuena to force Neuer into a stunning one-handed save, Karim Benzema's close-range follow-up deflected over the bar. Benzema went close twice more as France gained some momentum before half-time and they maintained it after the break as Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi gained control of the central areas, allowing Griezmann and Valbuena to cause damage from wide. But Germany appeared to realise the increased threat, dropping deeper and limiting France to a Varane header and Matuidi strike that were both comfortably saved by Neuer. Löw introduced André Schurrle from the bench and he significantly boosted the tiring Germans, although he might have done better with two opportunities on the counter attack. France counterpart Didier Deschamps turned to Olivier Giroud and he set up Benzema in stoppage time, only for Neuer to repel his angled drive with a strong fist. The atmosphere inside this iconic ground was relatively flat, reflecting an unspectacular encounter.
Brazil secured their World Cup semi-final place against Germany with victory over Colombia on a night of gripping tension and passion in Fortaleza. Thiago Silva set Luiz Felipe Scolari's side on the way with an early goal, and Brazil looked to be set for a comfortable passage into the last four after David Luiz's brilliant second-half free-kick. In a magnificent atmosphere built on a cascade of colour and a wall of sound, James Rodriguez set up a thrilling finale when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with ten minutes left. In a frantic closing phase, Colombia were unable to force the chance that could have brought extra time. But Brazil will be without their superstar Neymar, who has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured vertebra after being kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga. They will also be missing captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended after being booked. Colombia had complaints of their own, chiefly the lack of protection offered to Rodriguez, who was on the receiving end of some fierce challenges as Brazil sought to nullify his influence. He broke down in tears and blubbed like a girl at the final whistle as he was consoled by the Brazil players who had offered him none of that commodity during a harrowing physical ordeal which proved he has the courage to go with his natural ability. Brazil and their supporters, in contrast, went wild with elation at the final whistle. The goal of reaching the final - and making up for the 1950 World Cup loss to Uruguay in Rio that is still one of this nation's darkest sporting days - lives on. Germany will need to show mental strength to cope with the tidal wave of emotion and support that Scolari hopes will carry Brazil to the Maracana a week on Sunday. Fortaleza offered up a cauldron of noise and a sea of yellow shirts in an atmosphere that ensured Brazil would launch into a series of adrenalin-fuelled attacks. Scolari's hope was to push Colombia into unknown territory and the strategy was helped by a goal built largely on defensive carelessness after seven minutes.
Neymar's corner was a routine affair with little serious menace but it was allowed to drift to the far post, where Carlos Sanchez switched off to allow Silva to bundle home. Scolari and his players were just as aware of the threat posed by Juan Cuadrado as the celebrated Rodriguez, and he illustrated exactly why with a shot that was inches away from twenty yards. This was much more like it from Brazil, though, and it would have been no surprise had they extended their advantage by the interval as they showed genuine threat against a somewhat timid Colombian side. It was down to keeper David Ospina that they did not as he twice saved well from the, if you will, incredible Hulk, on the second occasion recovering well to then clutch Oscar's long-range effort. Scolari insisted Brazil had formulated no special plans to deal with Rodriguez, but it was clear they were determined to test the twenty two-year-old in a succession of reckless physical challenges. It was after Rodriguez was shown a yellow card for a foul on Hulk by the extraordinarily lenient referee Carlos Velasco Carballo that Brazil scored the goal that effectively sent them into the last four. Luiz came in off his long run to strike a twenty five-yard free-kick that left the stretching Ospina clutching at thin air as it flew high to his left. That came just after Colombia thought they were back in the game, only to see Mario Yepes's goal ruled out for an earlier offside. To his credit, Rodriguez was undeterred by Brazil's close attentions and it was his astute pass that led to substitute Carlos Bacca being upended by Julio Cesar. After a short delay, and some well-chosen words from Luiz, Rodriguez was calmness personified to send the keeper the wrong way. Colombia threw everything forward in the last moments, but once again Brazil held on to seal the victory.
Hummels returned to central defence after a bout of 'flu-like symptoms', with Per Mertesacker unexpectedly the man to make way as Germany looked to contain France's quick forwards. Philipp Lahm moved from midfield to right-back in place of Shkodran Mustafi, Sami Khedira coming into midfield, and there was a surprise start for thirty six-year-old Miroslav Klose in attack. Germany looked far more balanced than against Algeria in their last match and a period of sustained pressured told when Hummels held off Varane to guide home a Toni Kroos free-kick. It was the first time that France had gone behind in the tournament and the first time they had conceded in the opening half. Their afternoon could have got worse when Mathieu Debuchy challenged Klose in the box, only for referee Nestor Pitana to ignore the German appeals. Les Bleus were struggling to find any rhythm as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Khedira and the excellent Kroos ruled the midfield, but they soon began to expose Germany's dangerously high defensive line. Antoine Griezmann broke clear and crossed for Mathieu Valbuena to force Neuer into a stunning one-handed save, Karim Benzema's close-range follow-up deflected over the bar. Benzema went close twice more as France gained some momentum before half-time and they maintained it after the break as Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi gained control of the central areas, allowing Griezmann and Valbuena to cause damage from wide. But Germany appeared to realise the increased threat, dropping deeper and limiting France to a Varane header and Matuidi strike that were both comfortably saved by Neuer. Löw introduced André Schurrle from the bench and he significantly boosted the tiring Germans, although he might have done better with two opportunities on the counter attack. France counterpart Didier Deschamps turned to Olivier Giroud and he set up Benzema in stoppage time, only for Neuer to repel his angled drive with a strong fist. The atmosphere inside this iconic ground was relatively flat, reflecting an unspectacular encounter. Brazil secured their World Cup semi-final place against Germany with victory over Colombia on a night of gripping tension and passion in Fortaleza. Thiago Silva set Luiz Felipe Scolari's side on the way with an early goal, and Brazil looked to be set for a comfortable passage into the last four after David Luiz's brilliant second-half free-kick. In a magnificent atmosphere built on a cascade of colour and a wall of sound, James Rodriguez set up a thrilling finale when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with ten minutes left. In a frantic closing phase, Colombia were unable to force the chance that could have brought extra time. But Brazil will be without their superstar Neymar, who has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured vertebra after being kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga. They will also be missing captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended after being booked. Colombia had complaints of their own, chiefly the lack of protection offered to Rodriguez, who was on the receiving end of some fierce challenges as Brazil sought to nullify his influence. He broke down in tears and blubbed like a girl at the final whistle as he was consoled by the Brazil players who had offered him none of that commodity during a harrowing physical ordeal which proved he has the courage to go with his natural ability. Brazil and their supporters, in contrast, went wild with elation at the final whistle. The goal of reaching the final - and making up for the 1950 World Cup loss to Uruguay in Rio that is still one of this nation's darkest sporting days - lives on. Germany will need to show mental strength to cope with the tidal wave of emotion and support that Scolari hopes will carry Brazil to the Maracana a week on Sunday. Fortaleza offered up a cauldron of noise and a sea of yellow shirts in an atmosphere that ensured Brazil would launch into a series of adrenalin-fuelled attacks. Scolari's hope was to push Colombia into unknown territory and the strategy was helped by a goal built largely on defensive carelessness after seven minutes.
Neymar's corner was a routine affair with little serious menace but it was allowed to drift to the far post, where Carlos Sanchez switched off to allow Silva to bundle home. Scolari and his players were just as aware of the threat posed by Juan Cuadrado as the celebrated Rodriguez, and he illustrated exactly why with a shot that was inches away from twenty yards. This was much more like it from Brazil, though, and it would have been no surprise had they extended their advantage by the interval as they showed genuine threat against a somewhat timid Colombian side. It was down to keeper David Ospina that they did not as he twice saved well from the, if you will, incredible Hulk, on the second occasion recovering well to then clutch Oscar's long-range effort. Scolari insisted Brazil had formulated no special plans to deal with Rodriguez, but it was clear they were determined to test the twenty two-year-old in a succession of reckless physical challenges. It was after Rodriguez was shown a yellow card for a foul on Hulk by the extraordinarily lenient referee Carlos Velasco Carballo that Brazil scored the goal that effectively sent them into the last four. Luiz came in off his long run to strike a twenty five-yard free-kick that left the stretching Ospina clutching at thin air as it flew high to his left. That came just after Colombia thought they were back in the game, only to see Mario Yepes's goal ruled out for an earlier offside. To his credit, Rodriguez was undeterred by Brazil's close attentions and it was his astute pass that led to substitute Carlos Bacca being upended by Julio Cesar. After a short delay, and some well-chosen words from Luiz, Rodriguez was calmness personified to send the keeper the wrong way. Colombia threw everything forward in the last moments, but once again Brazil held on to seal the victory. 
