Germany reach fourth straight semi-final
Germany's 10th semi-final in 13 World Cups
Germany will play Brazil or Colombia
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Image source, APNot sure who the locals will be supporting inside the Maracana. But the Germans appear to have some vocal support from an unlikely source - this trio of fed-up England fans...
They will be happy because Germany are still dominating. Mamadou Sakho is needed to come to the rescue again, before Sami Khedira's throughball runs out for a France goal-kick.
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live
"Let's hope we don't see two European nations who are scared of each other and overly tactical. Let's hope they have learned something from the likes of Costa Rica and Mexico who have gone and attacked games - we're in the Maracana for goodness sake."
You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live's commentary by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.
Patrice Evra isn't shy of bombing down that Frrench left flank, but he is almost picked off by the Germans when he loses possession. But team-mate Mamadou Sakho hacks clear from inside his own penalty box. All Germany so far.
Plenty of early possession for the Germans as they stroke the ball around between their back four and midfield pair of Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger. That draws plenty of boos from the French fans inside a sun-drenched Maracana.
Image source, Getty ImagesEver-cool German boss Joachim Low looks relaxed as he surveys the scene from his position on the Maracana touchline. His players have the honour of kicking things off.
It's show-time!
Eyeobel Gomini:, external "Today is the day Pogba will introduce himself as a top-class player!"
A Karim:, external "You just know Klose will break the record today. It's bound to happen."
JC Yes:, external "Hoping I'm totally wrong but got a feeling this might be a cagey, niggly match. Fingers crossed it's the opposite!"
Tweet #bbcworldcup,, external post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page,, external Google+ page , externalor text (UK only) 81111.
David Ornstein
BBC Sport
"A fairly low-key atmosphere is transformed into a din as the teams emerge from the tunnel into blazing sunshine at arguably the most famous and iconic football stadium in the world."
We've just got time for one last check of the line-ups....
France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Valbuena, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Griezmann, Benzema. Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Cabella, Giroud, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Koscielny, Schneiderlin.
Germany: Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Howedes, Ozil, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Muller, Klose. Subs: Zieler, Weidenfeller, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Schurrle, Podolski, Draxler, Durm, Mertesacker, Gotze, Kramer.
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
Anthem time. The French belt out the familiar notes of La Marseillaise, before the Germans hit back with a rousing rendition of Das Lied der Deutschen. I'm calling that one a score-draw.
Former England international Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Getty Images"France have gone with pace, they will press high and look to catch Germany on the counter attack. Germany will play slow football, there is not a lot of pace in the side so they will have to try to keep the ball and boss the midfield, which is of course a lot easier said than done."
Image source, Getty ImagesGot your Tricolore flag at the ready?
Image source, AFPOr are you wearing your Angela Merkel mask?
Image source, Getty ImagesThese French and German fans inside the Maracana are - they are ready. Are you? Under 10 minutes until kick-off. So dash to the loo, stock up on the biscuits and sit down. You don't want to go anywhere for the next couple of hours.
That familiar Fifa anthem is blaring out. Here are the teams....
Estadio Do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Image source, Getty ImagesCapacity: 76,804.
Opened: 1950 (reopened after renovation in June 2013).
Games played: 15 June, Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Hercegovina; 18 June, Spain 0-2 Chile; 22 June, Belgium 1-0 Russia; 25 June, Ecuador 0-0 France; 28 June, Second-round, Colombia 2-0 Uruguay;
Fixtures coming up: 4 July, Quarter-final, France v Germany; 13 July, World Cup final, 20:00.
Background: Renovation of this iconic venue was completed just in time for the Confederations Cup last summer. Work only began in earnest in September 2010 - three years after Brazil was officially handed the World Cup. The stadium formally reopened on 2 June when Brazil drew 2-2 in a friendly with England, and hosted three Confederations Cup matches.
Since then venue has resumed its role as the venue for derby matches between Rio's biggest teams - Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafago and Vasco da Gama.
The pitch was re-laid in October 2013. It is one of four football venues for the 2016 Olympics and will also host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Image source, Getty ImagesAn aerial view of some fans wearing a variety of different shirts, from Brazil to Nigeria, inside the Maracana. Any Leeds United shirts? Nope, thought not.
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand
MOTD analyst
On Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sweeping behind the defence:
"It is high risk football by Manuel Neuer, if it doesn't come off it is a red card or a goal waiting to happen. It is not the way I like to play football but it is working for them at the moment."
You can click on the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page to view.
Bilal Hashmi:, external "Starting Sakho over Koscielny is a really poor decision by Didier Deschamps. He's been their best defender in the last two games."
Sadozaie:, external "I suspect Ozil might have a good game hence a 2-1 German win."
Paul McCarthy:, external "Four years ago I saw Paul Pogba play for Man Utd in the final of the FA Youth Cup. Looked classy then, but just look at him now."
Here's the view of our man in the Maracana - Dave Ornstein - as the players go through their final warm-ups. We are not jealous. Repeat after me everyone - we are not jealous. Yeah right.
Not Mark Lawrenson. Lawro - BBC Sport's very own Mystic Meg - isn't bad at predicting the future, correctly guessing all eight of the sides which would reach the quarter-finals. So who is he tipping to win at the Maracana?
"This is the tie of the round. I expect this encounter to be very competitive as well, because they are both well matched," says the ex-Republic of Ireland defender.
"Although some of Germany's games at this tournament have been close, they have been the better team in every game they have played."
Lawro's prediction: France 0-2 Germany
Former Wales international Robbie Savage
"No surprise Per Mertesacker has been left out. He's been shocking, positional play terrible, as has all the back four! Karim Benzema is much better in a centre-forward position for France. And with Antoine Griezmann on the left, movement could be too much for the Germans. France to win 2-1."
Anyone agree with Robbie?
1 July: Germany 2-1 Algeria (aet)
Image source, Getty ImagesGermany survived a huge test of their World Cup credentials to see off underdogs Algeria in extra time and set up a quarter-final meeting with France.
The three-time champions frequently looked rattled as an enterprising Algeria wasted a succession of chances in an open, exciting encounter, before Andre Schurrle finished from close range early in the first additional period.
Mesut Ozil drilled in to double their lead and, although Abdelmoumene Djabou volleyed home to ensure a frantic end, a relieved Germany held on.
Image source, EpaThomas Muller once again made the difference as Germany qualified as winners of Group G with victory over the United States.
The Bayern Munich forward scored his ninth World Cup goal in as many games to give Germany a routine win at a rain-soaked Arena Pernambuco in Recife.