Germany always looked comfortable with the slender lead and it was Joachim Low's side who came closest to scoring again before settling for a 1-0 result. This was a blow to French pride, the country remembering with bitterness semi-final defeats by Germany in 1982 - the infamous Harald Schumacher challenge on Patrick Battiston - and 1986.
For some reason, Didier Deschamps' side seemed strangely subdued in the manner of their defeat. Even towards the final whistle there seemed little urgency. This was far from the classic that had been hoped for - indeed it was one of the more turgid affairs of this consistently excellent tournament.
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