France 2-0 Nigeria:
- France targeting to reach quarter-finals after cruising through as Group E winners
- Nigeria in last 16 for first time time since 1998 after finishing as Group F runners-up
- Two sides clash at the Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia
Daily Mail UK, 30 June 2014
Quote:
MATCH INFO
France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Valbuena, Giroud, Benzema.
Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Sakho, Cabella, Griezmann, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Schneiderlin.
Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Yobo, Oshaniwa, Omeruo, Musa, Onazi, Mikel, Moses, Odemwingie, Emenike.
Subs: Ejide, Agbim, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Nwofor, Uchebo, Ameobi.
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)
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GOAL! FRANCE 2-0 Nigeria
90+2min: And there's the 147th. A near post cross looks like it's turned home by Griezmann, whose surely played his way back into the team ahead of the quarter-final.
But the ball in fact comes off
Joseph Yobo, who diverts the ball past Enyeama for an
own goal.
90min: As five added minutes are put up, it's worth noting Pogba's strike is the 146th of this World Cup, exceeding the entire total scored at South Africa 2010.
Nigeria substitution
89min: Uche Nwofor replaces Moses for Nigeria with just a minute to go. This again all seems a bit late from Nigeria.
87min: Nigeria haven't really had a sniff or Lloris goal since falling behind. If anything France will score again as Griezmann sees his rising drive from inside the box well tipped over by Enyeama.
82min: It's a big ask for Nigeria to come back from this. They look a beaten side and that's because France are in top gear having resorted to a line-up which worked so well for them in the group stage. Les Bleus are looking confident to see this out.
Head boy: Paul Pogba of France scores his team's first goal on a header
Agony and ecstasy: France's players celebrate after scoring as Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama looks on
GOAL! FRANCE 1-0 Nigeria
79min: Breakthrough! For France it's been coming but this is cruel on Enyeama who has been fantastic in this tournament.
It's the Nigeria keeper at fault though as he flaps hopelessly at a corner, allowing
Paul Pogba to cushion a soft header at the far post into an empty net.
78min: Another France chance! This time it's Enyeama to the rescue as Valbuena's free-kick is powered towards goal by the head of Benzema with the keeper tipping over.
75min: France are swarming all over Nigeria now. The Super Eagles fail to deal with a Valbuena corner, which results in Yohan Cabaye unleashing a thunderbolt across goal from 20 yards which clatters off the underside of the bar and out to safety.
72min: Ambrose is now back on for Nigeria but France look a better prospect in attack now Griezmann and Benzema can link up. Those sorts of passes were simply not happening with Giroud on the field.
Not close enough: Karim Benzema pokes the ball past Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama but saw his shot cleared off the line
69min: It's all going off now! Now Griezmann is on, France are flying! The sub plays a one-two with Benzema, resulting in the latter poking the ball past Enyeama inside the box.
The ball was set to creep over the line but Victor Moses of all people chased back to hack the ball away a yard off the line.
Meanwhile, Ambrose is the latest Nigeria player in the wars after a collision with Griezmann.
66min: Nigeria have arguably been the better team in this second half and create by far the best opening of the second period.
Odemwingie spots the smallest of gaps 25 yards out, but his low strike is well beaten away by an alert Lloris.
Switch: France's forward Olivier Giroud walks off the pitch past France's boss Didier Deschamps after being substituted
France substitution
62min: Plan A has failed for France. Giroud has been hooked off for Les Bleus as Antoine Griezmann replaces him. Benzema should now move into a more central role.
From Sportsmail's Rob Draper in Brasilia
'This game has really slowed down after a great opening half hour. Its not too hot here around 28 degrees but it looks as though the conditions are playing a part, taking the pace out of the game.'
Nigeria substitution
59min: Finally on comes Gabriel for Onazi in Nigeria's first change.
58min: What are Nigeria playing at? They are down to 10 men at the moment but they are really making a hash of getting a replacement on for the stricken Onazi.
Reuben Gabriel looks like he will come on but this has taken far too long to get done.
55min: Our first booking of the day and it comes to little surprise as Matuidi's stupid lunge catches Onazi on the ankle who, not for the first time today, looks like he will be carried off on a stretcher. This time though I don't think he is returning.
52min: Good play from Nigeria. Victor Moses collects a chipped pass from Efe Ambrose before losing the ball deep inside the box.
But play soon returns to Ambrose whose dangerous delivery into the centre catches Raphael Varane on the temple before going out of play.
Goal kick is given though as Varane receives treatment inside the Nigeria goal following his defensive intervention.
50min: That might be a little sore in the morning. There's a clash of knees as Debuchy's sliding tackle sees him clash with Juwon Oshaniwa, leaving the latter coming off worse as he requires treatment on the field. After a spell off the pitch, he will be okay to continue.
48min: Nigeria win a corner as Victor Moses's low cross is turned behind, but can they improve their otherwise poor set-pieces so far.
Well...No. Odemwingie now takes a corner but it's easily cleared at the near post by a France defender.
SECOND-HALF: France restart with no changes for either side
Don't judge by the scoreline, that was a decent half of football. I won't make outrageous claims like it's the best 0-0 you will ever see but it's been entertaining.
Just as good to see is that Nigeria have matched France. It makes this game far more interesting and it sets up for a cracking second half.
France's concern must sit in the final third. It seems like Benzema and Giroud just cannot work in the same side - it's Les Bleus' version of 'can Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard play together?'
So far the answer is no. Benzema looks fed up on the left side of the attack.
HALF-TIME: France 0-0 Nigeria
Keeper's ball: France's goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris (right) makes a save in front of Odemwingie
45min: There will be two added minutes, just as Giroud destroys a France counter by heading a pass straight to Enyeama. The Arsenal striker really hasn't gelled with Benzema.
43min: We haven't seen too many shots on target but Emenike certainly gets the best of Lloris, as his rising strike towards goal from the edge of the box is too hot to handle for the France keeper who can only parry in front of him. Victor Moses collects the loose ball but does so with his hand, conceding a free-kick.
40min: What France would have had for Benzema to be behind this. Debuchy blasts a first time strike wide from 20 yards as the full-back wastes a decent chance to at least test Enyeama.
Claimed: Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie (left) and France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris challenge for the ball
37min: I know corners have turned into wrestling matches inside the box, but Nigeria really should have a penalty. From a set-piece, Patrice Evra has his arms wrapped round Odemwingie clearly infringing the striker - but nothing is given.
The only excuse I can find for Evra is that he was trying to stop Odemwingie from nearly kicking Lloris' head off again.
34min: The sun's gone in and the game quality seems to have followed it. It seems to be a rotation of which midfielder is going to make the next mistake at the moment. Passes are simply not sticking.
31min: If there is one area Nigeria can improve, it's set pieces. The corners from the Super Eagles have been terrible so far as Lloris again claims the ball at the second attempt, naturally just avoiding being kicked in the head by Odemwingie in doing so.
Recovery: Ogenyi Onazi of Nigeria lies injured while teammate Vincent Enyeama calls for medical staff, but the midfielder was soon able to continue
28min: Right, bring on the fast tempo stuff. Some clouds have come over at the Garrincha Stadium which should encourage more attacking play.
In truth though this has been a decent clash so far. It's been a very even first half.
25min: Who would be a goalkeeper? Hugo Lloris really does put his body on the line at times.
The France keeper jumps to catch a loose ball in the box, despite Peter Odemwingie also challenging with a hazardous looking scissors kick. The Spurs keeper claims the ball though and as an added bonus still has his head on his shoulders.
Disallowed: Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria poked the ball home but saw his effort ruled out
Let off: France's goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris fails to save Emenike's strike, but the goal was ruled out for offside
22min: Brilliant football all round! France counter down the right through Mathieu Valbuena, whose cross is well struck towards goal by a Paul Pogba volley. I thought it was going in, but superb reflexes from Vincent Enyeama see him dive to his left to somehow keep the ball out.
From Sportsmail's Rob Draper in Brasilia
'Right decision but Nigeria have France rattled right now. Playing some real incisive, quick football. And Odemwingie is one of the best of them.'
19min: Cheers go up around the ground as Emenike does eventually find the net, but after pouncing at the near post to turn home a Ahmed Musa cross, the offside flag is quickly raised.
The margins are tight but it's the correct call and France's defensive line is vindicated.
Congestion: France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris prepares to defend his goal from a Nigeria cross
18min: After all that build up. A pointless tap of the free-kick a yard to the side (why do teams still do this?) results in Emmanuel Emenike blasting a strike way off target.
16min: Triple dosage of good news for Nigeria. Firstly, Onazi is back on. Secondly Olivier Giroud doesn't look like he has his shooting boots on after blazing over the bar from 20 yards.
Thirdly, they win a free-kick 25 yards out after Matuidi rugby tackles Peter Odemwingie to ground.
14min: Nigeria win a free-kick to the left of the France penalty box, but Nigeria have injury problems as Ogenyi Onazi's tangle of legs with Paul Pogba on the edge of their own box has resulted in the midfielder having to be taken off on a stretcher.
He lpoks like he has picked up a knee problem and it's unclear whether he can continue.
Knees to faces: France's midfielder Mathieu Valbuena (left) is challenged by Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa
11min: That all seemed 'very England' from Nigera. After a couple of minutes spent casually passing the ball around the defence, John Obi Mikel lumps the ball forward into the France penalty box, only for Laurent Koscielny to head clear for Les Bleus.
From Sportsmail's Rob Draper in Brasilia
'Noticeable that many of the most-expensive seats here centre circle, bottom tier are empty, presumably un-sold.'
7min: An even enough start to the game - both defences are holding firm at this stage with both sides looking bright going forward. A slow burner you may call it, but this will come to life I'm sure of it.
4min: It's France threatening though. Blaise Matuidi attempts to cut a low cross back from the byline, but Joseph Yobo sticks out his leg to make a crucial interception and poke behind for a corner which Nigeria survive.
Dive in: France's defender Mathieu Debuchy (left) is challenged by Nigeria's Ahmed Musa
3min: It's 29 degrees inside the ground, and with half the pitch bathed in sun, Nigeria will perhaps be more favourable to these warm first half conditions.
It's certainly a contest I expect France to grow into rather than come out fighting, but can Ahemd Musa produce another stunning couple of goals for Nigeria like he did against Argentina in the previous game.
KICK-OFF: Nigeria get us going in Brasilia
Out come the teams inside the Garrincha Stadium
A good reception for both teams as they make their way out on to the pitch. The local Brazil fans seem to be backing Nigeria as chants for the African side go up.
If I had my slightly cynical hat on, I'd suggest it's because Les Bleus would provide a far greater threat to the host nation at a later stage of this tournament.
Backing the Super Eagles: Brazil fans cheer for Nigeria inside the Garrincha Stadium
Backing Les Bleus: French supporters cheer from inside the Garrincha Stadium
Here are more stars from France's tournament...
...it is of course their WAGS!
Strike a pose: Ludivine Sagna, wife of France's defender Bacary Sagna, poses with a fan inside the Garrincha Stadium
Support: Ludivine Sagna looks on as the players warm up in Brasilia
Capture the moment: Elodie Mavuba, wife of France's midfielder Rio Mavuba, was also in attendance for the last 16 clash
It's the last 16 that just keeps delivering...
Brazil, Colombia, Holland, even Costa Rica have thoroughly entertained us on their way to the quarter-finals - and why should the drama stop now?
After all, France are in action and
Les Bleus have been free scoring in the group stage. They face a stern test against an ever improving Nigeria side today so it should be a cracker in Brasilia. Bring it on!
Fly the flag: A France fan shows her support inside the Garrincha Stadium
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