We need to take the next step now: Loew

Germany coach Joachim Loew refused to look beyond the semi-finals after his team reached the last four at the World Cup by defeating France 1-0 in the quarter-finals Friday.

A first half header from Mats Hummels at the Maracana Stadium here was enough to book a clash against Brazil, who later went on to beat Colombia 2-1 in Belo Horizonte Friday, reports Xinhua.

"In the last four World Cups we've reached the semi-finals. That is a good achievement but we now need to take the next step. Both teams played well defensively. There weren't many goal scoring opportunities which was part of our plan," Loew said.

"We didn't want to give France chances with the quality of strikers they possess. We closed them down well and that was the key."

France coach Didier Deschamps rued his team's missed chances but hoped the experience served as a lesson for future tournaments.

"Although our adventure in Brazil ends here and we're sad, disappointed and frustrated, we'll move on. I hope this group of players can play together for a long time. I have a lot of work to do with them but things are definitely promising. We'll need to maintain this momentum and quality," he said.

Hummels, whose goal came after a precise Toni Kroos free-kick, talked about Germany's chances of progressing to the final July 13.

"We're playing the type of football that will give us the chance to win. We're defending well with passion and that needs to be intensified with every coming match."