The quarter-finals saw a wide variety of games. There was France's stunning evisceration of Italy, Germany's excellent composure in defeating reigning champions Spain, Brazil's ruthless finishing to see off Wales, and there was a late Scottish scare for England. This is the how the knockout rounds shape up:
Today we focus solely on the first semi-final. And it just so happens to be Germany versus England. The narrative is obvious here, given the two nations' histories. Germany generally have had the upper hand, and are the only side remaining who have lifted that oh-so-prestigious Draft World Cup trophy.
Germany's route here saw them have to qualify via the play-offs. They did so, and were comfortable in securing their progression from their group after only two games. They have only got stronger since, firstly by dismantling Germany and then by stunning Spain with trademark heavy pressing.
England, meanwhile, are about to face a fellow 'big 5' team for the first time, amazingly. Qualification was straightforward for England, as was progression from their group. In the knockout rounds they eased to a win over Peru, but required extra time to see off their other deadly rivals Scotland.
Team news
Despite performing well against Spain when called upon, Charles Aránguiz and Corentin Tolisso make way for Thiago and Axel Witsel, who return from suspension.
England are without Jan Vertonghen, who picked up his second yellow of the tournament against Scotland. Therefore his Spurs teammate Toby Alderweireld comes in to partner captain Virgil van Dijk. More surprisingly, England shift to a 4-3-3, with Fernandinho replacing Christian Eriksen to act as the holding midfielder. N'Golo Kanté also makes way as David Silva completes a Man City trio in the centre of the pitch. Harry Kane retains his place despite Sergio Aguero's brace from the bench against Scotland.
Germany's route here saw them have to qualify via the play-offs. They did so, and were comfortable in securing their progression from their group after only two games. They have only got stronger since, firstly by dismantling Germany and then by stunning Spain with trademark heavy pressing.
England, meanwhile, are about to face a fellow 'big 5' team for the first time, amazingly. Qualification was straightforward for England, as was progression from their group. In the knockout rounds they eased to a win over Peru, but required extra time to see off their other deadly rivals Scotland.
Team news
Despite performing well against Spain when called upon, Charles Aránguiz and Corentin Tolisso make way for Thiago and Axel Witsel, who return from suspension.
England are without Jan Vertonghen, who picked up his second yellow of the tournament against Scotland. Therefore his Spurs teammate Toby Alderweireld comes in to partner captain Virgil van Dijk. More surprisingly, England shift to a 4-3-3, with Fernandinho replacing Christian Eriksen to act as the holding midfielder. N'Golo Kanté also makes way as David Silva completes a Man City trio in the centre of the pitch. Harry Kane retains his place despite Sergio Aguero's brace from the bench against Scotland.
Germany kick off, and soon work it out wide to Marco Reus. He is given plenty of time to run at the defence and curl a ball to the back post where Leon Bailey is waiting. His shot beats David de Gea but hits the post! The flag was up anyway, but an early warning shot there.
England see more of the ball early on, but Germany remain a strong threat on the counter. One such break sees competition top scorer Robert Lewandowski cunning slide the ball across to Reus, who scores! But again, the flag is up and we remain goalless! Replays suggest it is extremely tight whether he is behind the ball, but it doesn't matter now.
England see more of the ball early on, but Germany remain a strong threat on the counter. One such break sees competition top scorer Robert Lewandowski cunning slide the ball across to Reus, who scores! But again, the flag is up and we remain goalless! Replays suggest it is extremely tight whether he is behind the ball, but it doesn't matter now.
England haven't started particularly well, and they are dealt a blow when Eden Hazard picks up a pulled thigh. He is okay to continue for now, but he will remain monitored.
In the 18th minute Germany have a corner. It's played to Bailey on the edge of the box, but his curling shot is belted away by Kyle Walker. Kane does brilliantly to keep it in play, and can lay it off to Kevin de Bruyne. He plays it down the channel towards Mohamed Salah, who bursts away and beats Manuel Neuer from a narrow angle to give England the lead!
In the 18th minute Germany have a corner. It's played to Bailey on the edge of the box, but his curling shot is belted away by Kyle Walker. Kane does brilliantly to keep it in play, and can lay it off to Kevin de Bruyne. He plays it down the channel towards Mohamed Salah, who bursts away and beats Manuel Neuer from a narrow angle to give England the lead!
England very nearly get a quick second as Kane heads de Bruyne's free kick into the side netting. At the other end Lewandowski gets onto Reus' corner, but his header from a very tight angle flies across the goalmouth and wide.
It seems that all chances are starting from set pieces, and there's another as Hazard flicks a corner towards goal, but is denied by Neuer.
Germany get a free kick 40 yards out, but they fail to win the second ball and England clear. Hazard picks the ball up and - showing no ill-effect from his injury - runs half the length of the pitch, taking it out wide. He isn't closed down at all by David Alaba, and he has the time to curl a lovely cross over for Kane to volley home!
It seems that all chances are starting from set pieces, and there's another as Hazard flicks a corner towards goal, but is denied by Neuer.
Germany get a free kick 40 yards out, but they fail to win the second ball and England clear. Hazard picks the ball up and - showing no ill-effect from his injury - runs half the length of the pitch, taking it out wide. He isn't closed down at all by David Alaba, and he has the time to curl a lovely cross over for Kane to volley home!
Germany have a huge job on their hands now. In the final few moments of the half Hazard tests Neuer with a header, before dribbling through the defence into the box, although he is eventually shut down. Germany build an attack themselves, and Lewandowski forces a fine reaction save from de Gea.
At the break, England are thoroughly in command, regularly creating chances. The inclusion of Fernandinho has worked. He has completed the most passes of anyone on the pitch, including three key passes. If Germany are to get back into this, they need to close him down better.
At the break, England are thoroughly in command, regularly creating chances. The inclusion of Fernandinho has worked. He has completed the most passes of anyone on the pitch, including three key passes. If Germany are to get back into this, they need to close him down better.
Five minutes into the half Alaba finds himself in acres of space on the left. His cross is met well by Lewandowski, but de Gea produces another good save! It falls to Bailey, but Andy Robertson makes a sensational block!
A minute later, Thiago's shot from the edge of the box is blocked by de Bruyne, the ball squirting just wide of the far post. The corner is taken by James Rodríguez to Reus on the edge of the box, where he has been surprisingly left unattended. He brings it forward and hits a perfect shot into the top corner! Game on!
Hazard appears to be flagging a bit now, and he is replaced by Sadio Mané. England stem the tide, and should restore their two-goal lead when Mané has a free header from Walker's cross, but it's a tame header and easily saved.
With just over 20 minutes left, Germany make their first substitution - Kingsley Coman coming on for Bailey. And he has an immediate impact, swinging a brilliant ball into the box for Reus to smash home! Germany have levelled!
With just over 20 minutes left, Germany make their first substitution - Kingsley Coman coming on for Bailey. And he has an immediate impact, swinging a brilliant ball into the box for Reus to smash home! Germany have levelled!
Two players that started the previous game join the action, as Kanté and Aránguiz replace Silva and Witsel respectively.
It's a very nervy time now for both teams. Germany get a sight of goal when van Dijk's header only goes as far as Coman, but his shot on his weaker left foot is straight at de Gea.
In the 90th minute Germany come at England once again. It's with Coman on the right and he hits a high ball into the box. Once again, Reus has stolen away from Walker, and his powerful volley has too much on it for de Gea and is in! It's in! Germany have come from two behind to lead right at the death!
It's a very nervy time now for both teams. Germany get a sight of goal when van Dijk's header only goes as far as Coman, but his shot on his weaker left foot is straight at de Gea.
In the 90th minute Germany come at England once again. It's with Coman on the right and he hits a high ball into the box. Once again, Reus has stolen away from Walker, and his powerful volley has too much on it for de Gea and is in! It's in! Germany have come from two behind to lead right at the death!
With just 5 minutes of added time left, England go for broke, bringing on Sergio Aguero for Fernandinho and pushing everyone up.
Mané bursts beyond Joshua Kimmich and cuts inside. He plays it over to Walker, who has plenty of targets in the box. He can't find any, however. England get a second chance as Salah feeds it into Aguero. Kane is free in the box, but Aránguiz hares across to make the block - and to make it worse it deflects off Aguero for a goal kick.
In the final minute of added time Aguero gets into the box again. Again, his low cross is blocked, but this time it's for a corner. There's seconds left, and de Gea is up! Salah fires it in, but Jerome Boateng clears and it's all over! Germany have completed a stunning victory!
Final score: Germany 3-2 England
Player of the match: Marco Reus
Oh my, what a game of football! It's 1970 all over again as Germany come from 2-0 down to beat England 3-2. It's hard to believe that second half. A wonderful sub appearance from Coman turned the side, but the obvious star man was Reus, who netting an outstanding hat-trick. That has to be one of the most impressive and decisive individual performances in DWC history.
For all of the outstanding creative talent on display for England, their chance production completely dried up in the second half, potentially as a result of Hazard's injury. They mustered just the two shots all half. Germany weren't a lot better, but Reus' clinical finishing meant that they got the goals they needed from just 8 shots.
Mané bursts beyond Joshua Kimmich and cuts inside. He plays it over to Walker, who has plenty of targets in the box. He can't find any, however. England get a second chance as Salah feeds it into Aguero. Kane is free in the box, but Aránguiz hares across to make the block - and to make it worse it deflects off Aguero for a goal kick.
In the final minute of added time Aguero gets into the box again. Again, his low cross is blocked, but this time it's for a corner. There's seconds left, and de Gea is up! Salah fires it in, but Jerome Boateng clears and it's all over! Germany have completed a stunning victory!
Final score: Germany 3-2 England
Player of the match: Marco Reus
Oh my, what a game of football! It's 1970 all over again as Germany come from 2-0 down to beat England 3-2. It's hard to believe that second half. A wonderful sub appearance from Coman turned the side, but the obvious star man was Reus, who netting an outstanding hat-trick. That has to be one of the most impressive and decisive individual performances in DWC history.
For all of the outstanding creative talent on display for England, their chance production completely dried up in the second half, potentially as a result of Hazard's injury. They mustered just the two shots all half. Germany weren't a lot better, but Reus' clinical finishing meant that they got the goals they needed from just 8 shots.
Germany move on, and have the chance to be the first two-time winners of the DWC. In their way will be either France or Brazil. Their semi final will be our next episode, if it's even half as good as this game it'll be a cracker.