Germany book fourth straight quarter final

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humBy: James K. Attaglo Wilson

13th minute header from defender Mat Hummels was enough to book Germany their fourth straight quarter final win in a FIFA World Cup at the Estadio do Maracana on Wednesday.

With today marking exactly sixty years since the then West Germany came back from 0-2 down to beat Hungary by 3-2 in one of the most dramatic finals in the history of the FIFA World Cup, Joachim Loew’s side bookmarked their win in the first quarter when Hummels out-jumped Raphael Verane from Toni Kroos’ free kick to head in the goal.

The game lacked the urgency that had been hoped for but nonetheless, Didier Deschamps’ side come into the game quite late in the half with the darting runs of Mathieu Valbuena causing havoc for the German defence but Bayern Munich goalie, Manuel Neuer proved why he’s been considered as the best goalkeeper in the world.

The agile German goalie made an outstanding one-handed save from Valbuena’s left footed effort which fell in front of Karim Benzema but the Real Madrid forward failed to make his effort count.

Benzema was denied again by Neuer when he shot straight at the goalkeeper. Neuer also stretched to saved Raphael Verane’s timely header from Debuchy’s cross deep into the game.

Germany sat back and played on the counter and their approach nearly paid off when Madrid bound Toni Kroos and Arsenal midfield architect Mesut Ozil combined to pounce on the French defence but Ozil’s pass to Kroos in the eighteen was cut short by Verane.

With time running out on the French Didier Deschamps brought on Olivier Giroud for Mathieu Valbuena.

The French nearly flourished from the change in time added on when the Arsenal forward put one on a plate for Karim Benzema but Manuel Neuer was again equal to the French threat.

In the end the French did whatever they could to avenge their bitter semi-final defeat by Germany in 1982 but it was Manuel Neuer who stood between Germany and a goal.

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