Mats Hummels showed against France, as well as earlier in the tournament against Portugal, Ghana and USA, just why he is Germany's most productive defender, offensively.
But perhaps more than the goal itself, it was the way in which he handled the dangerous Karim Benzema that was impressive and decisive.
The centre-back made three crucial blocks, including one from close range in the 74th minute. The striker did manage to evade him once, but the Dortmund defender quickly recovered.
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It was the kind of robust performance that was needed, and the German provided that.
Against Brazil, he will face someone who can more than match up to him, in Hulk. The man hasn't lived up to his name or reputation, with an average World Cup so far (see statistics).
But now would be the perfect time to add some respectability to those numbers. Hulk has been used as a wide forward in this tournament, though he could play as the main forward owing to Fred's poor form.
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He remains Scolari's best option of getting goals, and creating them in the absence of Neymar.
Hummels will be expected to mark Hulk just like he did so successfully against Benzema.
Hulk's directness could pose problems for the centre backs, and if he can be a bit more accurate with his finishing, will be a major goal-scoring threat. Hummels will need to draw on his strengths - height, composure and positioning - to win this battle.