Germany takes 1-0 lead over France at halftime of World Cup game

Germany, the master of set pieces, did not wait long to display its expertise on dead-ball situations during its quarterfinal matchup with France in the World Cup on Friday in Brazil.

Toni Kroos airmailed a cross from the left side toward the far post to Mats Hummels, who displayed no hint of being affected by flu symptoms that kept him out of the prior game.

Hummels, though bodied up by defender Rafael Varane, elbowed his way to the ball and headed it in for an early 1-0 lead. Only 12-plus minutes had elapsed.

Otherwise, France mounted the first half’s most serious threats by capitalizing on Germany bringing its back line well up the field when the ball crossed over to its offensive side. Nifty goalkeeping by Manuel Neuer kept the Germans’ sheet clean, as they say.

Hummels was one of a few lineup switches for Germany, which has coped with widespread but mild illness. The rationale behind Per Mertersacker sitting out might have been performance-based as the tall, slow defender has struggled to get back on counters. Philipp Lamm was sent back from midfield, much to the delight of German media that have campaigned for the reassignment.