Joachim Loew’s decision to reshuffle his lineup and return captain Philipp Lahm to right back paid off immediately Friday, galvanizing the defense and earning Germany a place in the semifinals of the World Cup.
It just wouldn’t be the World Cup without Germany in the semifinals.
Germany recalled veteran striker Miroslav Klose and dropped center back Per Mertesacker among a slew of changes for its World Cup quarterfinal match against France on Friday.
German auto giant Volkswagen said Friday it will cancel the late shift at its main plant in Wolfsburg so workers can watch the quarter-final World Cup soccer match between Germany and France.
France coach Didier Deschamps has never lost a World Cup match, and heading into Friday’s quarterfinal against Germany he says winning such big matches comes down to guts.
Paul Pogba scored with a late header to finally break Nigeria’s stubborn resistance and Joseph Yobo scored an own-goal as France won 2-0 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday.
Authorities in France tightened security and appealed for calm on Monday ahead of a World Cup match between Germany and Algeria following riots after the last two Algerian fixtures.
Five-time champion Serena Williams lost to 25th-seeded Alize Cornet of France 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday.
France’s much-vaunted attack missed a series of chances as it drew 0-0 with 10-man Ecuador to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup on Wednesday, while the South Americans bowed out of the tournament.
Amateur footballers in France believe they have broken the world record for the longest match after playing 73 hours non-stop from Thursday to Sunday to raise awareness about the rare medical disorder Crigler-Najjar.
France is striking at the World Cup again, this time in a way the fans back home will approve of. Four years ago to the day, France’s players shamed the nation by going on strike at the last World Cup. On Friday, the team put on a striking attacking display, blowing Switzerland away with a 5-2 win on Friday to take total control of Group E and put themselves in position to avoid a showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the next round.
France are on the brink of reaching the World Cup last 16 after their emphatic 5-2 win over Switzerland on Friday kept them in control of Group E.
France beat 10-man Honduras 3-0 in a bruising World Cup clash on Sunday where goal-line technology awarded the first international goal in history.
