By Frans van Hees | www.AboutBrasil.com | Week 27, July 2014

Rio de Janeiro —

Germany is the first semifinalist of World Cup 2014 in Brazil

. In Rio de Janeiro, Joachim Löw's team did have surprisingly little trouble with the national

soccer team of France

. The quick opening goal by Mats Hummels was ultimately enough against the French: 1-0.

Neuer and Schweinsteiger: happy and relieved through to semifinals

Germany has always been reching the semifinals of the World Cup since 2002 and is the only team that was able to do this after the turn of the century. In the semifinals the soccer team of Germany will encounter host team Brazil or Colombia, which will play against each other later tonight. The first chance was for Karim Benzema, but the top scorer of the French pushed the ball wide.

The first opportunity for the Germans was immediately a goal. In the 13th minute, Toni Kroos served Mats Hümmels. The defender of Borussia Dortmund defender tricked Raphael Varane and scored with a nice header: 0-1.

France had still plenty of chances to score the equalizer. Mathieu Valbuena had a nice shot, but it was met with Manuel Neuer. Hümmels then prevented Benzema to score from the rebound.

In the run-up to the soccer clash in the famous Maracana stadium, the German soccer team was struck by a flu epidemic, but in the quarterfinal against France the Germans were little affected by it. Miroslav Klose started in the first team, but failed to score. With a goal, the 36-year-old striker would have beaten Brazilian Ronaldo as the only World Cup top scorer of all time. In the 68th minute, Andre Schürrle replaced the striker of Lazio Roma.

Before the break, France made ​​a good impression, but in the second half Les Bleus was less eager. Only in the last quarter of the soccer match France tried to turn the score. Benzema was in a favorable position but encountered by Hümmels. A shot from Blaise Matuidi gave Neuer no difficulties.

Ten minutes before time France escaped to the final German blow. Mesut Özil broke through on the left, but

Thomas Müller failed to score his fifth goal of the World Cup 2014

. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris processed a shot from Schürrle with his legs. A second huge chance for Schürrle ended up in the upper body of Patrice Evra.

Because Benzema again encountered Neuer in the last second of the match, France was out and

Germany is still up for winning its fourth World Cup

, the first since 1990.

Matches & Standings Final rounds - FIFA World Cup 2014