Germany are through to the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup after defeating France 1-0 at the Estadio do Maracana.
On a warm day in Rio de Janeiro, Joachim Low's Die Mannschaft produced a thoroughly professional performance to see off Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus who were constantly threatening but ultimately toothless in attack.
Germany started brightly and although they had a couple of minor defensive scares early, took the lead after just 12 minutes when Mats Hummels found the back of the net.
The impressive Toni Kroos sent into the area an in-swinging free-kick which the central defender met with a glancing header, under duress from Raphael Varane, that went in off the underside of the crossbar having beaten Hugo Lloris.
The goal was Hummels' second of the tournament after he combined with Kroos to head home a corner in the 4-0 victory over Portugal in Germany's opening group stage fixture.
The Borussia Dortmund star was impenetrable at the back for the Germans, constantly picking the pocket of Karim Benzema with a number of perfectly-timed tackles in the area, which landed him the Man of the Match award.
Twice in the first half, Hummels thwarted Benzema as the French looked to find a leveller but the organisation and discipline of the German defence gave their opposing attack very little to work with.
Just after the half-hour mark, Manuel Neuer came up with a brilliant reaction save to deny Mathieu Valbuena's angled effort from inside the area, swiftly diving to his left when it appeared as though the ball was destined for the back of the net, before Hummels blocked Benzema's follow-up.
Ten minutes later, Patrice Evra picked out Benzema with a lovely cross from the left but Hummels was again perfectly positioned to block the Real Madrid striker's header moments before Paul Pogba found Benzema with a long ball only to see Neuer safely hold his attempt.
France were searching hard for a leveller, pushing the German defence regularly, but it was without real precision as Die Mannschaft continued to hold them at bay.
With eight minutes left, Hugo Lloris kept his France side in the contest when pulling off a world-class save with his foot to deny German substitute Andre Schurrle's effort in a one-on-one situation.
This came prior to the cool Neuer producing a strong one-handed block on Benzema's well-struck attempt from a tight angle in injury-time which saw the Germans through to another semi-final.
Germany, who have booked their fourth World Cup semi-final in a row, will next face the winner of today's Brazil v Colombia match in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, July 8 as they chase their first title since 1990.
For France, it will feel like a missed opportunity after they played so freely in the group stages but were ultimately unable to breach one of world football's most miserly defensive formations.
2014 FIFA World Cup - Quarter-Final
France: 0 Germany: 1 (Mats Hummels 13')
Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro - 74,240
Yellow cards:FRA - nil GER - Sami Khedira 54', Bastian Schweinsteiger 80'
