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France exit World Cup after 1-0 loss to Germany

Ben McPartland
Ben McPartland - [email protected]
France exit World Cup after 1-0 loss to Germany
Photo: AFP

France were knocked out of the World Cup on Friday after losing 1-0 to Germany in their quarter-final clash. An early goal from Mats Hummels proved enough to see off Les Bleus, who had their chances but couldn't find the net.

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FRA 0 v GER 1

Mats Hummels headed the winner as Germany beat old rivals France 1-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals for a record fourth straight time on Friday.

Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels rose to head home Toni Kroos's free-kick on 13 minutes to settle a cagey encounter at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium.

Joachim Loew's side will now play the winner of Friday's second quarter-final between Brazil or Colombia in next Tuesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

France had entered the match quietly confident of avenging semi-final defeats against Germany in 1982 and 1986.

But they were left to rue a lacklustre first half performance which saw Germany dominate in sweltering conditions.

France rallied in the second half and Hummels saved Germany with a desperate late block of  a Karim Benzema shot shortly before Manuel Neuer parried a firm strike from Blaise Matuidi.

Andre Schuerrle should have sealed victory in the closing minutes, but with the goal gaping, struck his shot from Mesut Ozil's low cross directly at Hugo Lloris in the French goal.

There was still time for Neuer to save Germany at the death, pulling off a brilliant block from Benzema just seconds from the final whistle.

20:26 - Player ratings are in from our player ratins man Doug Revolta.

Lloris 7/10
Quick off his line throughout the game, there was nothing he could do to prevent Hummels’ header giving the Germans the lead. As the game became more stretched in the second-half, he made some decisive saves to keep his team in the contest.

Debuchy 5/10
Lucky to escape with no punishment after his subtle tug on Klose’s shirt in the box went unnoticed by the referee in the first-half, the right-back offered little as an attacking threat.

Varane 5/10
Lauded as “the best young defender in the World” by Jose Mourinho, the defender was held off too easily by Hummels as France conceded the opening goal from a set-piece. He almost made amends in the second-half, but his header was saved easily by Neuer.

Sakho 6/10
A strong physical presence at the back but occasional lapses in concentration presented the German front line with opportunities. The defender was substituted after 70 minutes.

Evra 5/10
Struggled to quell Muller’s attacking threat down France’s left side. Occasionally made runs forward and found himself in advanced positions, but was unable to add greatly to the French attack.

Cabaye 6/10
Good distribution helped build the French attacks but his defensive display was too light-weight to cope with the physical presence of the German attack. The PSG player was taken off for Loic Remy as France chased the game in the second-half.

Pogba 5/10
Only showed glimpses of his raw talent in a performance that lacked his usual tenacity and forcefulness. He struck a frustrated figure in the middle of the park.

Matuidi 7/10
Although a willing runner, the tough-tackler struggled to get into the game in the first-half. But as the French piled on the pressure at the start of the second period, the PSG man made some aggressive runs forward and created chances for his team.

Valbuena 7/10
His creative flair formed the basis of everything France did moving forwards. A display of neat-footwork and tactical awareness asked questions of the German defence as he proved to be a constant threat in the final third. He tired in the heat as the second-half progressed and was replaced by Giroud as France went all-out for the win in the final few minutes.

Griezmann 5/10
A peripheral figure in the first-half, Griezmann worked himself into play much more in the second-half and found himself in dangerous positions, but he failed to convert the few chances he was presented with and lacked a killer final-ball.

Benzema 7/10
His performance lacked energy but he still carved some opportunities in dangerous areas. He will be disappointed not to have converted some of his chances, especially the shot he saw palmed away by Neuer in the dying seconds.

Subs

Koscielney 6/10
Arsenal’s defender came on to replace Sakho in the second-half and helped to cope with the German counter-attack as the game drew on.

Remy 5/10
The QPR striker was brought on ahead of Olivier Giroud as France drove forwards towards the climax of the second-half but he did not get into the game.

Giroud 5/10
Brought on as a last-ditch attempt to rescue the game for France, the Arsenal man could do nothing as his side bowed out.

Germany

Neuer 8/10
The marauding sweeper-keeper made one of the saves of the tournament in the first-half as he stuck out a left-hand to keep out a Valbuena shot destined for goal. Good decision-making at set-pieces helped keep the French out, as did his work to collect crosses into the box. He stayed alert until the end when a strong palm kept out Benzema’s strike.

Lahm 7/10
Reverted to right-back after spending much of the tournament in midfield, ‘The Magic Dwarf’ put in a typically composed and assured display at the back as he remained disciplined throughout.

Howedes 6/10
Confined to a largely defensive role as he allowed his teammates to take on attacking duties, he faced little challenge from Griezmann down the left-side.

Boateng 7/10
His no-nonsense approach meant he was quick to lump the ball away from danger but also resulted in a lack of composure at the back, but his partnership with Hummels kept the French at bay.

Hummels 8/10
Made a crucial interception in his own box early in the game moments before his terrific header handed Germany the lead. Shrugging of Varane, the Dortmund defender guided a header expertly past Lloris in the French goal and he remained a solid figure throughout the match.

Khedira 7/10
The well-balanced German midfield, which Khedira played an important part in, ensured the Real Madrid man was allowed to roam forward and join in the attack. His physical presence posed a problem for the French midfield.

Schweinsteiger 8/10
Marshalled the German midfield well and showed discipline in defence, making some important interceptions and launching attacks in a terrific all-round display.

Kroos 7/10
Delivered the free-kick which was headed in by Hummels and dictated the pace of the game with his midfield partners thanks to his excellent range of passes. He was taken off in extra-time to rousing applause.

Ozil 6/10
Quiet for large swathes of the game, the forward occasionally added extra attacking impetus to the German side with flashes of pace and decisive passes. But he looked tired as the game wore on and was taken off with ten minutes to go.

Muller 8/10
Dangerous in the opening exchanges down the right-hand side and worked hard for his side until the end. When Klose departed play, Muller took over striking duties in a false nine role.

Klose 6/10
Subdued in open-play as he waited patiently for an opening, he was denied a penalty in the first-half and could not convert the few half-chances he was presented with. His substitution after the hour-mark means his wait to become the stand-alone all-time leading World Cup goalscorer continues.

Subs

Schurrle 7/10
The goal-scoring substitute from Germany’s last-16 game again came off the bench to add energy to Germany’s midfield and he had some opportunities to add to his side’s lead, only for Lloris to save well as the French defence stayed firm.

Goetze 6/10
Given little time to impact the game but freshened up the German attack as France worked their way back into the game in the second half.

Kramer 6/10
Brought on in extra-time to wind the seconds down.

20:20 - French players being interviewed live on TV, clearly gutted at being knocked out. There's been tears in the dressing room, as you'd expect. France feel they did everything they could and they had enough chances, but really it felt like they were reluctant to throw the kitchen sink at Germany, unlike the Algerians on Monday.

20:15 - Here's an initial match report from AFP.

Mats Hummels headed the winner as Germany beat old rivals France 1-0 to advance to the World Cup semi-finals for a record fourth straight time on Friday.

Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels rose to head home Toni Kroos's free-kick on 13 minutes to settle a cagey encounter at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium.

Joachim Loew's side will now play the winner of Friday's second quarter-final between Brazil or Colombia in next Tuesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

France had entered the match quietly confident of avenging semi-final defeats against Germany in 1982 and 1986.

But they were left to rue a lacklustre first half performance which saw Germany dominate in sweltering conditions.

France rallied in the second half and Hummels saved Germany with a desperate late block of  a Karim Benzema shot shortly before Manuel Neuer parried a firm strike from Blaise Matuidi.

Andre Schuerrle should have sealed victory in the closing minutes, but with the goal gaping, struck his shot from Mesut Ozil's low cross directly at Hugo Lloris in the French goal.

There was still time for Neuer to save Germany at the death, pulling off a brilliant block from Benzema just seconds from the final whistle.

20:12 - Remember that France probably shouldn't have been at this World Cup at all. They were dead and buried after losing to Ukraine in the first leg of play-off to qualify for the tournament. But then they won 3-0 and at one point were labelled dark horses to win the trophy. THat was stretching it a bit.

20:10 - So how do we sum up France's tournament? They played well, particularly against the Swiss in that 5-2 win, but as soon as they played a decent team they were unable to rise t the challenge. But then again, Germany are a machine and they can get through to semi-finals in their sleep.

20:00 - Well that's it, France are out and it took the first decent team they came up against to knock them out. But Les Bleus are a young team and they will get better. The next tournament is in France remember. Euro2016,.

FULL TIME - Some French players are in tears on the pitch. THey spoke before the game about having no regrets, but I think they will have some. They just needed to go into another gear against the Germans. MAybe they were scared, maybe the Germans were in control, but it looked like Les Bleus could open the up. They just lacked a bit of conviction.

94mins GAME OVER - Germany go through to the semi finals for a fourth consecutive World Cup.

94mins - ARGH!!!!!!!! Neuer saves from Benzema with almost the mast kick of the match. 

92mins - It's the last chance for France. Two minutes left. But Pogba gives away a foul. It's almost over for Les Bleus.

90mins - 4 minutes of added time called! Last chance saloon now.

88mins - The game is petering out and France are on their way out of the Word Cup. It's got very scrappy.

85 mins - It's the Geman fans who are singing. They know they are close to the semi final. And they look more likely to get a second than France score at the moment.

84mins - VAlbuena off and Giroud on. 

83mins - This game has flown by, but time is running out for France. It's Germany who are threatening more.

80 mins - And the pressure mounts, but Germany survive and then amost score on the break! Lloris to the rescue! THat could have been game over.

78mins - 12 minutes plus stoppage time left. France deserve something from this game, but as things stand they are not getting it.

75mins - It's Loic Remy that comes on for Cabaye. France have to go for it. And Benzema has a great chance but his shot is blocked in the box. Matuidi shoots and Neuer blocks. French pressure grows.

73mins - It's still only real half chances for France. They really need to get the final ball right as well as find their shooting boots. Germany continue to threaten in the break. 

70mins - Twenty minutes left for France. Sakho has come off injured, replaced by Koscielny. Not the substitution we expected. It's only a matter of time before Giroud comes on and the crosses start geting pumped into the box.

67mins - Germany seem to have weathered that period of pressure from France. and now André Schurrle comes on for Germany in place of Klose, who looks knackered. Klose is still level all time World Cup scorer with ROnaldo.

65mins - 

63mins - Is it time for France to make a change? Giroud or Remy perhaps. They are threatening without exactly banging the door down. They need to go for it now.

59mins - France threaten again. First through Matuidi down the left, but his cross goes out for a corner. THen Raphael Varane heads a cross towards the top corner but Neuer grasps. IT's coming...isn't it?

56mins - And as I say that the game is definitely opening up. Both teams looking to score now. It's end to end stuff. I would say the next goal is the crucial one. Germany get a second it could be all over. France score, on the other hand, and they will have the momentum.

51mins - THe shadow is creeping over the pitch at the Maracana. THe pitch will soon be entirely in the shade. If it cools it may help open the game up a bit, but it's hard to say which team that would suit more. France must score. Germany can play on the break.

48mins - Deschamps asked his players to up their efforts at half time, according to French TV reporter. Not exaclty an inspirational half time speech then. But the nFrance have played well. Early pressure in second half for France. Les Bleus are up for this.

46mins - And we are off again for the second half. Arsene Wenger has told FRench TV viewers. "I don't see how France can't score". Wenger says France will get more chances as the game progresses. But he accepts, they can't afford to go 2-0 down.

HALF TIME STAT - If Germany win today they would play their fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final. That's a record. But France have never lost a World Cup quarter-final. That's a record we want kept.

HALF TIME - THis seems like a good time to learn the Marseillaise in English.

HALF TIME - Here's a bried half time report from AFP 

A Mats Hummels goal gave Germany a 1-0 lead at half-time of their World Cup quarter-final with France at the Maracana Stadium on Friday.

Hummels headed home from a superb freekick by Toni Kroos to give the Germans the lead in the 13th minute.

Germany thought they should have been awarded a penalty shortly afterwards as Miroslav Klose went down with his shirt being tugged by Mathieu Debuchy.

France had their chances with the best seeing German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer marking his 50th appearance with a great double save first from Mathieu Valbuena and then Karim Benzema.

45mins - HALF TIME - Apart from that goal for Germany France have carried the main threat. They have created chances and will take hope they can just take one of those in the second half. Germany however, could score any time you feel. THey just haven't really hit top gear yet. Matt Hummels goal separates the two teams.

43mins - Another great chance for Benzema, but he cuts in from the right and hits his shot straight at Neuer. YOu would expect him to do better there. France continue to create chances though. 

38mins - Mathieu Valbuena certainly looks like the main threat for France. Griezmann on the other hand is hardly in the game. Every decent France move is coming down the left. But Benzema looks a threat in the middle. And that was the point of playng Griezmann. 

36mins - Great pressure from France, but the Germans look equally capable of scoring. France can't go 2-0 down, otherwise it would be game over.

33mins - Two corners in quick succession for the French. Neuer forced to make a save, before Sakho heads over from the second corner. France can score here. They have to attack Germany. They look shakey at the back.

30mins - The French should have known. SInce 2002 Germany have scored 15 headed goals, seven more than any other side in that period. That stat comes from the BBC.

23mins -  Penalty appeal from the Germans. Debuch definitely had a hold of Klose's shirt as the German striker went down, but nothing given. Right decision, but dangerous play from Debuchy. He was lucky Klose didn't have control of the ball.

22mins - 

20mins - France need to hit back early. They don't want to be chasing the game for too long. The Germans will punish them. But they have the talent. THis game could be a classic.

16mins - This will be tough for France now. They will have to chase the game in this heat. But they have come back well from that early goal.

14mins - THat goal came after some great pressure from France and a good chance for Karim Benzema. France have it all to do now.

12mins - GOAL - Germany take the lead. Mats Hummels gets on the end of a Toni Kroos free-kick to give Germany the lead. Hummels beat Raphael Varane in the air. 

6 mins - Early pressure for Germany, stroking the ball around. Looking to attack France down the right, where Evra may be seen as a weak link.

2 mins:  - THis from The Local Germany: Just before kick-off, it's worth noting that Löw has reverted to 2010 type with Lahm at right back and Klose up front. The populists will be happy. I, personally, think Lahm should stay in midfield. We shall see.

18:00 - And we're off. Good start for France. They've got the ball.

17:59 - Sweat pouring down the faces of the players, during the national anthems. German fans won the battle of the anthems quite easily. THe good thing for the fans is, most of the stands are in the shade. The pitch on the other hand...

17:54 - And they are out. It looks hot out there in the maracana. Aparently France have 5,000 supporters in the stadium. Germany a lot more. But that won't matter. Who will the neutral Brazilians support?

17:51 - The players are in the tunnel. Instructions still being dished out by the French players. Benzema looks focussed and tense. The mascots on the other hand look very relaxed.

17:47 - Here's the key stat for this match. France have never lost a quarter-final tie in the World Cup. Germany needn't bother turning up. Ok, they have either gone crashing out in the group stages or gone on to the semis, where they have normally been beaten by Germany.

17:42 - So French TV channel TF1 have still not begun their coverage of the quarter-final match. There's a programme about weddings on at the moment. #WTF1

17:39 - If you are feeling quite neutral tonight and you can't decide what team to support then read this and support France.

17:33 - And here's how Les Bleus line up. Great to see Benzema in his rightful position up top in the centre. His pace can exploit the creaking German back line.

17:33  - Here's how the German team are lining up then.

17:27 - Here's the scene at Hotel de Ville in Paris, where authorities have been so gripped by World Cup fever they've put up a big screen. Let's hope it was less chaotic than Monday night, when rush hour and crowds did not get on together.

Here's another pic from an active tweeter down at the Hotel de Ville

17:25 - So Miroslav Klose makes his first start of the World Cup finals in Friday's quarter-final against France which could see him become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history.

The 36-year-old levelled Brazil legend Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals when he came off the bench to net the equaliser in Germany's 2-2 draw with Ghana in the group stages.

He makes the German starting line-up at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana Stadium with Thomas Mueller, who has scored four times at the finals, dropping back into midfield.

German captain Philipp Lahm switches from midfield to his customary right-back spot with centre-back Mats Hummels returning after missing the 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in the last 16 because of flu.

Real Madrid's Sami Khedira partners Bastian Schweinsteiger in the defensive midfield for the first time at the finals.

France coach Didier Deschamps makes two changes to his starting line-up following Monday's hard-fought 2-0 win against Nigeria in Brasilia.

Mamadou Sakho has shaken off a hamstring complaint and replaces Laurent Koscielny in central defence.

Up front, Antoine Griezmann comes back into the attack at the expense of Olivier Giroud.

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, scorer of three World Cup goals so far, will move back into the role of centre-forward, with Griezmann lining-up on the left flank.

17:15 - Where better to start than the team news. Here it is. And the big news is veteran German striker Miroslav Klose is starting the match.

Starting line-ups for the World Cup quarter-final match between France and Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday:
 

France: Hugo Lloris (capt); Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho, Patrice Evra; Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi; Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann
   
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Hoewedes; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira; Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos,
Mesut Ozil; Miroslav Klose. 

And the most importnat man on the pitch is referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)

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