Germany is first nation to reach 4 consecutive World Cup semi-finals

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 16 and suffered a bout of illness in midweek, but they were comfortable victors over a disappointing France in Rio de Janeiro.

Hummels got the better of Raphael Varane to score what proved to be the winning goal and Germany can now prepare for a meeting with Brazil or Colombia in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

It was the first time 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 Germany appeals.

Les Blues 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.

Low introduced Andre 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 manager Didier Deschamps turned to Olivier Giroud who 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, but at the end the Germany celebrations and France tears illustrated just how much the result meant.