Germany Defeats France 1-0 To Reach Fourth Straight World Cup Semifinals (VIDEO/GIF/PHOTOS)

Germany Sends France Out Of World Cup
Germany's Mats Hummels celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Germany's Mats Hummels celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

The first spot in the semifinals at the 2014 World Cup was sealed by the team that has become a regular in the final foursome: Germany

Germany defeated France 1-0 at Estadio do Maracana on Friday to become the first team ever to reach four straight World Cup semifinals. Germany's semifinal streak includes a defeat to Brazil in the final in 2002 and a pair of wins in the third-place game in 2006 and 2010.

The lone goal of the all-European quarterfinal matchup in Rio de Janeiro came in the 13th minute when Germany defender Mats Hummels headed a free kick taken by teammate Toni Kroos past France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

After the early goal provided a slim advantage over France, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer ensured it was enough. The 28-year-old goalkeeper may have made his most impressive save of the match in the final seconds. With France pushing for an equalizer in the fourth and final minute of second-half stoppage time, Neuer was able to block a driving shot from France forward Karim Benzema.

(GIF via @FlyByKnite)

Germany will advance to face either Brazil or Colombia in the semifinals on July 8 at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

Before You Go

FBL-WC-2014-MATCH58-FRA-GER

PHOTOS: Germany vs. France

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