Brazil 2014: France 2 - 0 Nigeria

LAST 16 France vs Nigeria match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup ended in a disappointing defeat of the Super Eagles. France were stronger at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, 2-0. 

The Europeans will face either Germany or Algeria in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

This was a hard-fought victory for France. The African champions defended well, and many expected extra time, or even a series of penalty kicks. 

The deadlock was broken by Paul Pogba (Juventus) after an unforced error by the excellent Vincent Enyeama.

Nigeria’s captain, Joseph Yobo, was put responsible for the second goal, at the added time (90+).

Game Stats. Full Time

France 2 – 0 Nigeria

Possession 53% - 47%

Tackle success 88% - 75%

13 – Shots – 9

5 – (On Goal) – 2

12 – Corners – 9

2 – Saves – 4

3 – Offsides – 2

12 – Fouls – 15

Marcus Thuram player profile: Borussia, injury, contracts

Football

1 – Yellows – 0 

The main events of the match are listed below:

95` It's FULL TIME. France advance to 1/4-finals.  

94` Substitution #2, Didier Deschamps: Sissoko IN, Valbuena OUT.

91` France increase the lead. It's 2-0. Yobo scored own goal.

90` Five minutes added. 

89` Substitution #2, Stephen Keshi: Nwofor IN, Moses OUT.

85` Good save by Eagles' keeper! Benzema plays a great ball for Griezmann, whose shot is blocked by Enyeama

81` Enyeama was excellent during the whole match, but nothing lasts forever. A mistake by him.

79` GOAL France. They were pressing Nigeria for the last ten minutes and finally cracked their defence. Pogba scores.

76` Cabaye rattles the crossbar of Super Eagle's goal. Extremely dangerous moment.

73` Ambrose receives help after a knock suffered in the Benzema goal-line clearance incident.

69` Benzema had a great opportunity to score. His first shot is saved by Enyeama. Moses and clears the ball away. Goal-line technology was required.

Tebogo Langerman's cars, net worth, houses, wife and salary

Football

64` Peter Odemwingie makes a great shot from long distance. Lloris was down to stop the ball smartly. 

62` Substitution #1, Didier Deschamps: Griezmann IN, Giroud OUT.

59` Substitution #1, Stephen Keshi: Gabriel IN, injured Onazi OUT.

54` Blaise Matuidi (France) gets a Yellow Card. Onazi is in pain. He needs assistance. Many believe it should have been a red card.

52` Another offside. Emenike was in the wrong position. 

48` Odemwingie curls the corner in, but it's cleared away. Moses was in promising position.

46` France get the ball underway for the second 45 minutes.

The last team to score against France in the opening 45 minutes was Belarus in September 2013.

It's half time. Equal match of equal opponents. The statistics by FIFA will prove these words:

France - Nigeria

47% - Ball possession - 53%

7 - Fouls Committed - 7

2 - Attempts On Target - 4

6 - Shots - 5

AFCON 2022: start date, fixtures, groups, teams to watch out for, venues

Football

0 - Total Goals scored - 0 

45` Two minutes added. 

43` Sudden strike by Emenike! Lloris blocks the shot. Moses latches onto the rebound, but, another offside.

40` Another good chance for France. Debuchy wasted a good by shooting wide.

37` Matuidi and Pogba mount pressing. France wants Nigeria to make mistakes.

32` Another corner for France. Debuchy shots off target. Lost of corners in the game Nigeria 4, France 3.

30` Mikel is in good shape this eve. Passing accuracy and creativity are good. 

28` Keshi is on the touchline, gives instructions to his boys. Their attacking tactics still do not work.

25` Brave goalkeeping by Lloris. Nigeria's corners kicks disturb him. Both teams made 3 shots each.

22` Great save! Pogba (France) shots, Enyeama blocks it.

20` A quick reply by France, Benzema is ruled offside.

19` Nigeria score! BUT, Emenike was adjudged to be in an offside position. See the video fragment below:

A look at Bafana Bafana coaches over the years: Who was the most successful?

Football

11` Varane (#4, defender) has been impressive for France at this World Cup. Eagles need to put much effort to break French defence.

8` Musa is looking to get on the ball as often as he can. 

5` The Super Eagles show good ball possession, do not want to play as number 2.

1` We're under way in Brasilia!

The national anthems are playing, we'll be starting really soon! 

The Super Eagles starting eleven was released about 1 hour before the match: Enyeama, Yobo, Ambrose, Musa, Odemwingie, Emenike, Mikel, Moses, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Omeruo.