Barry Nolan:, external "This is a game where Remy could make a difference."

Shaun Grey:, external "France going out with a bit of a wimper at this rate."

Max:, external "Hope France don't end up kicking themselves for tossing away the first 45 minutes without pressurising."

Tweet #bbcworldcup,, external post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page,, externalGoogle+ page , externalor text (UK only) 81111.

France midfielder Blaise Matuidi's surging runs are familiar to those of you who follow Ligue 1 and the Paris St-Germain man produces another here on the international stage. But his cut-back from the left wing is intercepted by Bastian Schweinsteiger's sliding challenge.

Moments later, Germany keeper Manuel Neuer breaks sweat for the first time since the break when he plucks Raphael Varane's free header out of the still Rio air.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"This is definitely no longer a Germany-dominated game. For the first time Antoine Griezmann is allowed to go and break into space and that is a clear yellow card for Sami Khedira, who brings Griezmann down when France had an extra man on the break.

"The French have opened up and Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena are trying to stay up as close to Karim Benzema as they can. But the Germans love to play on the break too."

Didier Deschamps looks rather pensive from his vantage down in the shade of the French dugout. Time for a change soon perhaps? Almost all of his subs are warming up behind the Germany goal.

Image source, Reuters

Referee Nestor Pitana, like a strict headmaster, scrawls the first name into his notebook after calling over Sami Khedira for a ticking off. The Germany midfielder grapples with Antoine Griezmann in a move more akin to WWE and rightly sees yellow.

Image source, AP

Maria Doherty on the BBC Sport Google+ page:, external "Mathieu Valbuena is the one who will break through for France... either he will assist or score. Germany's back line will be eventually be caught out."

Image source, AFP

I've hardly mentioned Mesut Ozil, who looks a shadow of the man who lit up the Premier League in the early days of his time at Arsenal last year. But the German finally shows signs of life, pounding down the left channel of the French box to force a corner. France keeper Hugo Lloris comes to collect the set-piece, is under pressure from Mats Hummels, and is rather fortunate to get a free-kick for his efforts.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

"I have to say that Mamadou Sakho looked miles offside, the linesman left his flag down but might have raised it if Sakho had got a touch.

"France lifted it a little bit towards the end of the first half but Germany had also taken their foot off the gas a little just to control the game. That is what France have to do again now. They have to realise that they are in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and have to give everything they have got to give.

"There may be questions about the Germans being tired after the Algeria game, well France have to go and ask that question and find out."

You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live's commentary by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is again causing a nuisance of himself. He wins a cheap free-kick off Bastian Schweinsteiger and the little man's set-piece almost catches the German defence napping. But France defender Mamadou Sakho, who looks suspiciously offside, cannot call Manuel Neuer into action.

Jeff Logan:, external "Bad move by France by playing the 4-3-3 formation against strong teams. I would bring Giroud up and play Benzema on the left."

Harshit Khare:, external "Germans going about it in their usual well oiled manner. The French need to invoke the Rousseau within. Where is the romance!?"

Peter McMillan:, external "Is this the stage where the World Cup loses momentum? More pedestrian pace in France v Germany. Hope it picks up."

Mathieu Valbuena skips into space down the German left, twice in quick succession, only to see both of his flat crosses thumped clear by a white shirt. Promising start from the Deschamps-inspired French.

Image source, AFP

France striker Karim Benzema nudges the ball forward as referee Nestor Pitana gives his whistle a short, sharp shrill. Game on.

No sign of Loic Remy yet - or any other changes - as the players remerge from the Maracana tunnel.

Former England international Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live

"You expect Raphael Varane to be stronger in his challenge with Mats Hummels for the goal but Germany thoroughly deserve their lead. They have dominated midfield and have had a good shape.

"I want to see more energy and movement from France. We have not yet seen the best from Antoine Griezmann or Mathieu Valbuena. Maybe they will come into the game as Germany tire, but I would think about bringing on the pace of Loic Remy.

"The France manager Didier Deschamps will say: 'Germany have had illness and travelled a lot - let's up the tempo and see what happens.'"

Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira: "Frustrating first half, showing too much respect. We have to be more brave & play at our full potential which we haven't done yet."

This current crop will, I'm sure, be getting a rousing team-talk from French coach Didier Deschamps as they aim to continue this proud record.

Deschamps is a man accustomed to rallying the troops - as anyone who has seen that footage of the World Cup-winning skipper cajoling his team-mates in the 1998 final will testify. The then-Les Bleus skipper goes around the dressing room, whispering encouragement and pointers to his pals - including Zinedine Zidane, who is on the floor having a massage. Remarkable scenes.

Image source, Getty Images

They are beating France in this match and many of you think they will go all the way. Yes, Germany topped our Match of the Day vote on who you believe will win the World Cup.

Tens of thousands of you voted and it was close. Germany edged out Netherlands and Colombia. Perhaps a little surprisingly, many of you had less faith in hosts Brazil and Lionel Messi's Argentina, who secured 15% and 14% of the vote respectively.

Full results are in the voting section of this page.

Thank you for taking part.

Former England striker Alan Shearer on Match of the Day:

"It's been a good battle out there but Germany have just edged it. France look dangerous on the break, particularly with that German high line, and they've been caught out once or twice. It's a good game."

David Ornstein
BBC Sport at the Maracana

"There was applause from the France bench as the half-time whistle went - they would have been desperate to avoid conceding a second goal and actually ended the first 45 minutes on the front foot.

"Germany also looked content with their work - they're closing in on an unprecedented fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final."