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Martin Meissner
Onwards

Germany's Hummels dreams of World Cup final

“I was flat this morning and had to drink loads of water after the game, but things worked out differently for me at the end,” said the Dortmund centre half.

MATCH-WINNER Mats Hummels hopes Germany will return to Rio de Janeiro for next week’s World Cup final after his header sealed their 1-0 win over France in Friday’s quarter-final.

The 25-year-old put Germany in the semi-finals when he smashed his first-half header in off the crossbar at the Maracana Stadium — which hosts the World Cup final on July 13.

The centre-back’s powerful 13th-minute goal means Germany now face either Brazil or Colombia in Tuesday’s semi-final at Belo Horizonte.

“The next dream has come true,” beamed the Borussia Dortmund defender after claiming second goal of Brazil 2014 and his fourth in 34th appearances for Germany.

“It’s unbelievable that it’s all going so well for us here at the World Cup. I hope that our journey won’t end soon and that we can make it back to compete here week next Sunday.”

Germany produced a polished, improved display on their extra-time win over Algeria in the last 16 to constantly frustrate France’s potent attack spearheaded by Karim Benzema.

This is the 13th time in 20 attempts Germany have reached the World Cup’s semi-finals and the fourth in succession since bowing out of the quarter-finals at France ’98.

But Hummels admitted he had struggled in Rio’s heat having battled with mild flu at the start of the week which forced him out of Monday’s win over Algeria.

“I was flat this morning and had to drink loads of water after the game, but things worked out differently for me at the end,” he grinned.

- © AFP, 2014 

As it happened: Germany v France, World Cup quarter final