It is time to bid farewell to Rio de Janeiro and the wonderful Mecca of Brazilian football that is the Maracana. But, to paraphrase Arnie Schwarzenegger in the Terminator, we'll be back. And we will be back there in nine days' time for the conclusion of the greatest show on Earth - the World Cup final.

Germany are just one game from booking their place but will have to overcome either hosts Brazil or Colombia first. Find out which South American nation will face them now by heading over to our live text commentary. Enjoy!

Germany matchwinner Mats Hummels: "This is the next dream to have become reality and the next positive moment here in Brazil and I hope it's not the last either.

"I hope it's not over now and that we can manage to win again in five days' time."

Young France star Paul Pogba might be packing for home now, but he can be very pleased with his work over the past few weeks.

After impressing the eyes of the watching world, he will go on to become the world's best midfield player. Not my words, but those of Rio Ferdinand. And who am I to argue with a Manchester United and England stalwart.

"Pogba did not play much during his time as a team-mate of mine at Old Trafford, but the things he did in training meant every member of Manchester United's first-team squad was in no doubt how good he was, and how good he could be," Rio says in his BBC Sport column.

"It was a big disappointment when he left to join Juventus in 2012, and it was definitely a mistake by United to let him go."

Ahead of the match, German tabloid Bild were confident of success - and they were proved right. They correctly predicted victory for Joachim Low's men over their old European rivals, but were guilty of being a little over-confident....

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Harvey:, external "Pogba anonymous. Matuidi doesn't look Championship level. Benzema is not world class. You won't go far in World Cup with Sakho in defence."

Thabo Diamini:, external "The more I look at it the more I think Hummels pushed the defender in scoring that goal."

Rachel:, external "France far from the team we saw in the group stages. Like they were waiting to go home most of the match, no urgency at all."

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"Right at the end, what a fantastic save from Manuel Neuer to keep out Karim Benzema. It looked like his shot the crossbar but it was such a strong hand from the German goalkeeper. The goalkeepers union will tell you that save is right up there.

"Neuer was immense today, there was no chance he was going to lose a ball in the box. And he had to be that good because France had chances. But without being cynical about it Germany just knew how to kill the game off."

Where now for the Germans? They will probably celebrate over a low-key meal - and maybe a stein of Bavarian lager between them - before switching their attentions to Tuesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte. There, they will face either Brazil or Colombia.

Image source, AP

Kevin in Hornchurch, via text: "Simply don't understand the French in the biggest game of many of their lives. 1-0 down and no real urgency or pace in the second half. Deserve nothing. Baffling."

Steve in Surbiton, via text: "Can someone help me? I have just watched Paul Pogba for 90 minutes and I am really trying hard to know why Rio Ferdinand rates this player as the best midfielder in the world. He has been terrible."

Quite surprising to see France edged the numbers in the shots column. The Germans had the better chances - and took the decisive one through Mats Hummels' brute force.

Former England international Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"France fell short. They looked entertaining in the group stage but have beaten today by a better team, with more experience at this level, who knew how to see out the game.

"Germany dominated the midfield and dictated the pace of the game, while France were well off their own pace today."

Gary Durham:, external "France seem to have departed with a Gallic shrug."

Thomas Broadley:, external "The French can have no complaints. World Cup quarter final and they didn't even give it a go. No urgency, tempo or desire."

John Pierce:, external "Poor game, a real lack of clarity on the game plans settled by a set piece, dull as dishwater. Massive disappointment."

Former England striker Alan Shearer on Match of the Day:

Image source, Getty Images

"We wanted to see better football in the second half but France weren't able to produce it. I was surprised at their lack of urgency and their lack of spring. Other than one or two opportunities that Benzema created for himself there was very little from France. What a very good decision it was from the German manager to leave Per Mertesacker out."

Missed any of the action from the Maracana? Handily, you are already able to catch up in the three-minute highlights package at the top of this page.

Image source, AP

Still Obannon:, external "France have been alarmingly poor today, No cutting edge No pace in attack and they are rightly out."

Marwan Alshiekh:, external "It won't be a competitive semi-final without Germany. The Frenchmen had performed well in this tournament as an overall."

Loz Smith:, external "1-0 down and they take off Valbuena, their most creative player, for Giroud... Wow."

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"We said right at the start of the afternoon that Germany seem to know how to get through without playing brilliantly. The Germans are exhausted, we know that, but they just took the snap out of the French in the last 15 minutes. They seem to know game management better than anyone else."

Image source, Reuters

Young French midfielder Antoine Griezmann breaks down in floods of tears on the Maracana pitch. Awww, someone give him a big hug, please. Team-mate Paul Pogba obliges.

The German players look pleased with themselves as they go over to clap their fans behind the goal. No over-exuberant celebrations though - they know they have failed at the last-four stage in each of the last two finals.

Image source, AFP

Now it is officially all over. Referee Nestor Pitana blows his whistle for the final time. Germany move into the World Cup semi-finals for the a record fourth successive tournament!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AFP

Big chance! Karim Benzema plays a neat one-two with Olivier Giroud in the German box, but Germany keeper Manuel Neuer paws clear with a strong right hand. Benzema knows it is all over for the French.

Germany are content to run down the clock as France substitute Olivier Giroud is kippered by Andre Schurrle. Schurrle draws Giroud into a clumsy foul which serves to tick down the clock. Germany almost there....