(Getty)
FINAL SCORE: France 2, Nigeria 0
France set up a potentially classic World Cup quarterfinal with Germany (although Algeria will have something to say about that) on Friday after a 2-0 victory over Nigeria. The game, played in the sunshine of the Estadio Nacional, was an end-to-end war.
Keshi when asked if he's staying as Nigeria coach: "I don't know". #nga #fra #WorldCup2014
— Reda Maher (@Reda_Eurosport) June 30, 2014
The Nigerians couldn’t capitalize on early pressure they generated, and their failure to score cost them. As the game went on, France began to dominate. Moments before Paul Pogba gave Les Bleus the lead, Yohan Cabaye hit the cross bar and Karim Benzema pulled an amazing save from Enyeama in the Nigerian goal.
It’s sad to see Nigeria go home, but anybody who says they wouldn’t want to see France vs. Germany in the quarterfinals a liar.
Here’s how it went down in the Brazilian capital:
An Own Goal Made it 2-0 in Injury Time
Everton legend Joseph Yobo appeared to score an own goal after Antoine Griezmann deflected the ball off him following a right wing cross from the always troublesome Valbuena. Game and World Cup over for Nigeria.
Paul Pogba Scored For France With 10 Minutes Left
How cruel this game is? Just seconds after an outstanding save, Vincent Enyeama was finally beaten by a Paul Pogba header after 79 minutes. The ball went out for a corner after Enyeama brilliantly tipped a Benzema header over the bar. The goalie then made an error by coming for the corner leaving the goal wide open, allowing Pogba to head into an empty net. The Juventus midfielder had to get revenge for this:
Cabaye Hit the Bar Late On
The PSG midfielder hit the cross bar after Benzema hit the ball across the box from the right-hand side. The ball was cleared and sat up nicely for Cabaye, who volleyed it against the yard from 25 yards out.
Victor Moses Kept Nigeria in it
Karim Benzema appeared to have given France the lead as he bounced the ball over Nigerian keeper Enyeama. It looked like it was in before Victor Moses appeared from nowhere to whack it over the line. Benzema had pulled away from his marker brilliantly to get in one-on-one with the keeper on the right side of the box.
Blaise Matuidi Put in a Horrible Tackle
Somehow France’s Blaise Matuidi stayed on the field after this disgraceful ankle breaking tackle on Nigeria’s Onazi.
It Was Scoreless at the Half
GIF – France vs Nigeria Here's an elbow and a slap just because #WorldCup http://t.co/F9zirYhLAU
— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) June 30, 2014
Olivier Giroud probably should have been sent off for his elbow and slap on John Obi Mikel on 29 minutes. Other than that, the half was interesting in that France tried to counter-attack Nigeria, a move unusual for such a heavy favorite.
Patrice Evra was also lucky to not give away a penalty after he had his busy hands all over Peter Odemwingie during a corner. The Manchester United player was lectured by the ref, but no foul or penalty was given. What was Mark Geiger talking to Evra about then if there was no foul?
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba had France’s best chance with this outstanding shot:
Musa Had a Goal Called for Offside
Ahmed Musa stole in slide home the ball but after a second of panic, the French defenders were relieved to see it had been called for offside. Musa was attacking an Emmanuel Emenike inswinging cross from the left, the French defense stood still, it was a clear offside. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi must be delighted with his team’s start, although France has broken through a few times and created a few chances, the Super Eagles are competing all the way.
Fans – many of them French – watching France Nigeria on the big screen on copacabana #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/jX5sCAudDS
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownBBC) June 30, 2014
Here’s how both sides lined up to start the game:
France:Hugo Lloirs, Mathieu Debuchy, Patrice Evra, Raphael Varane, Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Valbuena, Olivier Giroud, Karim Benzema, Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba, Laurent Koscielny.
Nigeria: Vincent Enyema, Joseph Yobo, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike, John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Juwon Oshaniwa, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo.