3 changes for Germany, none for France

Germany had to run the gauntlet of a who’s who in UEFA while France was handed the much easier path. Germany won their group with wins over Ukraine and Northern Ireland sandwiched around a draw with Poland then drew Slovakia in the Round of 16 and survived a 9 round penalty kick shootout (bizarrely it was tied 2-2 after the first 5 shooters) with Italy in the quarterfinals to make it here.

Griezmann, who could have completed a hat trick in the 86th minute but shot straight at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, was already looking ahead. Germany are the world champions and they’ve given the best impression here over the first five matches.

“We’re very happy”, he said.

“I have played in many finals, majority on the pitch”. Yes, we suffered, but we never gave up. “I can’t blame any player for that”. Get live score and updates of Germany vs France here. They have been the most impressive of the 24 competing teams at the tournament, but only one will advance to the final after what many are expecting to be a knockout game for the ages.

Manager Joachim Low of Germany knows what it takes to play in the semifinal and he understands how to change gear in order to overpower the opponents.

“In 2012 or 2010 the sides were better than us but today that wasn’t the case”, he added in reference to semi-final defeats by Italy and Spain.

Striker Olivier Giroud leads the attack, supported by Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet – a trio that has yielded 10 of France’s 11 goals so far.

Germany were dominating possession, but the match took a dramatic twist seconds before the half-time whistle when Rizzoli controversially did point to the spot at the other end.

They swamped the midfield but had only half-chances for Emre Can, Thomas Mueller and Schweinsteiger to show for it.

Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty in stoppage time after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball in the area as he challenged Patrice Evra.

Benedikt Hoewedes moves from right back to partner Jerome Boateng in the centre of defence instead of the suspended Mats Hummels with Joshua Kimmich playing at full back.

France have won five of eight meetings with Germany since German reunification in 1990 – including a 2-0 win in November – but those victories were all in friendlies.

IST: France and Germany line-up for their national anthems.

Thanking the passionate fans in Marseille, who gave his side a bit extra when they were in difficulty, Deschamps said he hoped the win would give the French population something to cheer after a hard period. “I hope we will make it a handsome end”.