If ever there was any doubt as to the importance of Mats Hummels to this aspiring German side, last night’s quarter-final victory over France put it to bed, alongside the French hopes of a second World Cup title.
The Borussia Dortmund defender first fought off flu, then fought off his marker to score the early and solitary goal that decided a tight match.
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He then proceeded to produce a display of sheer solidity to nullify his opponents’ pace and lead his country to a fourth consecutive semi-final on world football’s grandest stage.
Hummels had been forced to miss his country’s 120-minute toil with Algeria in Porto Alegre and Germany had looked all the weaker for it.
With the lumbering Per Mertesacker unable to cope with the Africans’ speed, Germany’s backline had looked shaky and overly reliant on the seeming omnipotence of Manuel Neuer.
Friday, at a sun-drenched Maracana and in front of more than 74,000 spectators, Germany showed that with Hummels in the heart of their defence, they are a different beast entirely.
Mertesacker was gone, Philipp Lahm, no longer required to protect the defence from midfield, was able to drop to his preferred right-back position, while Hummels and Jerome Boateng made the central pairing. Benedikt Howedes remained at left back.
It gave the team balance and although they continued to play the high line that coach Joachim Loew prefers, they were never caught out as they repeatedly were against Algeria.
Hummels and Boateng were able to keep Karim Benzema quiet and Lahm and Hoewedes offered more attacking threat down the flanks.
It was a minor tactical switch, but one of great importance and it paid dividends for Loew.
It should be no surprise then that it was from the flanks that the decisive German goal germinated.
A foul out wide drew a Toni Kroos free kick and Hummels swatted Raphael Varane aside to head home.
After celebrating manically, Hummels casually trotted back to his position in defence and continued to provide a relaxed and reassuring presence.
As the game developed and France pushed dangerously for an equaliser, Hummels – possibly with the benefit of having not played in Porto Alegre – simply grew in stature.
He routinely helped clear a series of French corners, before a late block prevented the French attack from testing Manuel Neuer in the German goal.
Hummels finished the tie with seven clearances, three blocks, two interceptions and a 100 per cent success rate in his aerial duels.
He finished the tie having become only the third German defender in history to score two goals at a World Cup finals. He finished having reasserted popular belief that the Germans are the team to beat.
Argentina and Brazil may have arrived this summer as favourites, but neither have lived up to expectations.
Germany in contrast have shown all the characteristics of champions, despite being wrongly discounted for arriving in South America from the cooler climes of Europe. During their five games, they have kept three clean sheets and conceded only in the dying seconds of extra-time against Algeria.
In truth, the performance against Algeria may have been a blip, but it was a blip Loew’s team overcame and, by doing so, has merely strengthened their belief.
When the coach spoke last night of focusing only on the next game, he was dampening expectations publicly.
There is no doubt that privately this team expects to reach the final – and win it.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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