21 June: Germany 2-2 Ghana

Image source, Getty Images

Miroslav Klose became the joint-record scorer in World Cup history as he rescued Germany a point from a dramatic game against Ghana.

The 36-year-old Lazio striker scored with his first touch after coming on as a second-half substitute as the Germans were fortunate to escape with a point.

They took a fortuitous lead through Mario Gotze's unorthodox header, but Ghana came roaring back through Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan before Klose's intervention.

16 June: Germany 4-0 Portugal

Image source, Reuters

Thomas Muller scored the first hat-trick of the 2014 World Cup as Germany produced a ruthless attacking display to destroy 10-man Portugal.

The Bayern Munich forward dispatched an early penalty, drilled home Germany's third and tapped in a fourth, with centre-back Mats Hummels heading in the second.

Germany's task was helped by Portugal defender Pepe receiving a needless red card at 2-0 after he appeared to headbutt Muller.

Former Netherlands forward Ruud Gullit on Match of the Day: "It has been a great World Cup. The South Americans have surprised us and I have really enjoyed it.

"The Germans are old friends of the Dutch, but in the last years they have improved a lot. They have a foreign influence, with Turkish players, and they play good technical football. France have been a surprise in this tournament and it is going to be a clash of two titans."

I think Ruud was speaking with his tongue firmly planted into his cheek about the Dutch and Germans being 'old friends'....

Former England striker Alan Shearer on Match of the Day:

"Germany started the tournament scoring goals, blazing through the field but they've petered off. France did not have a huge expectation on them. But they're feeling their way into the tournament and looking good."

Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, who is having plenty of shots pinged at him on the Maracana pitch, drew plenty of plaudits for his impression of Die Mannschaft sweeping legend Franz Beckenbauer against Algeria. The Bayern Munich player wasn't shy of careering out of his penalty area, and neither is the man stood in the opposite goal today - Hugo Lloris. If David Beckham was on the pitch he'd fancy his chances from distance against those two...

Former France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry
BBC Radio 5 live

"I was too young to understand that it should have been a red card, but if it had happened in our time Harald Schumacher would have been sent off for his challenge on Patrick Battiston. And France would have got to the World Cup final.

"It was a different time, with different rules and different referees, but every time I see the semi-final on TV I still always think we are going to win."

30 June: France 2-0 Nigeria

Image source, AFP

Les Bleus scored twice in the final 11 minutes to beat Nigeria and set up today's quarter-final tie against Germany

Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike had a strike ruled out for offside before Vincent Enyeama saved Paul Pogba's volley.

Victor Moses cleared Karim Benzema's shot off the line after the break and Yohan Cabaye volleyed against the bar as France pressed.

But Pogba eventually headed in after an Enyeama error and Joseph Yobo diverted Mathieu Valbuena's cross into the net.

26 June: Ecuador 0-0 France

Image source, Getty Images

France could not maintain their prolific start but still finished top of Group E following a goalless draw with Ecuador.

Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Loic Remy went close as the much-changed French were frustrated by an Ecuador side who had captain Antonio Valencia sent off.

But after impressive victories over Honduras and Switzerland, a point was enough to send Les Bleus through to the last 16.

20 June: Switzerland 2-5 France

Image source, Getty Images

France all but secured a place in the last 16 as three first-half goals helped them to an easy win over Switzerland.

Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a stunning header before Blaise Matuidi blasted in the second 66 seconds later. Karim Benzema had a penalty saved but Mathieu Valbuena added a third for the 1998 World Cup winners.

Goals by Benzema and Moussa Sissoko made it 5-0 after the break, before Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka reduced the arrears in a dramatic game.

15 June: France 3-0 Honduras

Image source, Reuters

Karim Benzema scored twice as France became the first team to benefit from goalline technology at a World Cup in their victory over 10-man Honduras.

The GoalControl tool was called into action in the 48th minute, ruling keeper Noel Valladares nudged Benzema's shot over the line.

The Real Madrid forward gave France the lead from the spot before adding a late third with a vicious strike from a tight angle.

Seems a long time since we saw Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull gyrating around on stage at a colourful opening ceremony, doesn't it?

If, like me, you can't even remember what you had for breakfast yesterday, here's a quick reminder of how France and Germany reached this stage...

Image source, Gary Lineker

Match of the Day is starting now on BBC One and via the live coverage tab at the top of this page. Rio Ferdinand, Ruud Gullit and Alan Shearer are ready.

Are you?

It appears that the French squad have been watching some black comedy in the run-up to today's match. No, they haven't watched footage of their predecessors' anarchy at the 2010 World Cup. Instead they seem to have been enjoying Hollywood blockbuster 'The Wolf of Wall Street' in their team hotel.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey psyche themselves up with some chest thumping and humming in the Martin Scorsese film, and French players seem to have taken inspiration, external in training this week. Come on, hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm.

Peter Bellamy:, external "Nice of Djokovic to win his match before the football was due to start."

Bilal Ahmed:, external "German experience and Brazilian home factor will take them over their opponents."

Bledi Jahjaga:, external "We'll have a new record World Cup goal scorer in two hours or less."

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

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in the Maracana

"Like Germany, France have also dropped an Arsenal centre-back - Laurent Koscielny being replaced by Mamadou Sakho - and a Gunners striker striker in Olivier Giroud.

"The impressive Antoine Griezmann is preferred to Giroud and will join Mathieu Valbuena in support of Karim Benzema. Otherwise, France are as expected, with a midfield three of Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba."

Ali Mahmood on the Match Of The Day Facebook page: , external"Neymar carries Brazil. Rodriguez carries Colombia. British Airways carry England."

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

So, here we are at the quarter-final stage. Eight teams are three games from World Cup glory, but who do you think will triumph?

The BBC Match of the Day team want your verdict. Provide your choice through the voting section on this page. The vote will close at 17:30 BST and the result will be announced on this page and the BBC TV broadcast. Terms and conditions can be found here.

Image source, AP

The Maracana is filling up with plenty of face-paint and sunglasses already on show. The decibel meter is already rising too - and not just because R'n'B king Usher's 'Yeah' is blasting out of the PA system. Thousands of German fans cheer their players on to a sun-soaked Maracana pitch.

Image source, AFP

France and Germany, who share a 451km border, are friendly neighbours. The bigger equivalent of the type who might pop next door for a cup of milk when they're making a cup of tea and realise they've run out.

BBC News reporter Chris Morris has been to the French border town of Schoeneck to find out more about the rivalry and the mood ahead of the match.