Date: June 30, 2014

Result: France 1-0 Nigeria

Scorers:

France:

  • Pogba 79, Yobo og 90

Nigeria:

  • none

 

Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia

Attendance: 67,882

Match overview: France reached the last eight after seeing off the challenge of a spirited Nigeria side in Brasilia. Both sides had chances in the first half, with Emmanuel Emenike’s goal ruled out for a marginal offside. France were frustrated by the Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama, who made a string of brilliant saves to deny Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema. But French pressure in the second half finally told. Pogba was unmarked when he headed home a corner in the 79th minute and pressure lively substitute Antoine Griezmann forced Joseph Yobo into a mistake for France’s second in injury time.

Key moment: The 59th minute substitution of Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, following an injury caused by a challenge from Blaise Matuidi, who was fortunate to only be booked for the foul. Up until then, Nigeria’s midfield had been solid, creating chances for their forwards, but they lost their shape and France turned the screw in the final half-hour.

Man of the match: Paul Pogba. The young Juventus midfielder scored France’s breakthrough goal with a crucial header. Earlier, his blistering volley was stopped by a stunning save from Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama.

Matter of fact: Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo, scorer of the own goal for France’s second, made his 100th appearance for his country.

Talking point: Nigeria’s defensive mistakes cost them dear. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was again in outstanding form, making several key saves. But after brilliantly tipping over a header from Karim Benzema, he misjudged the flight of the subsequent corner, allowing Paul Pogba a free header for France’s opening goal.

Stats:

Goal attempts

  • France 12
  • Nigeria 5

On target

  • France 6
  • Nigeria 2

Corners

  • France 12
  • Nigeria 9

Line-ups:

France:

  • 01 Lloris
  • 02 Debuchy
  • 04 Varane
  • 21 Koscielny
  • 03 Evra
  • 06 Cabaye
  • 19 Pogba
  • 14 Matuidi
  • 08 Valbuena (Sissoko 90)
  • 10 Benzema
  • 09 Giroud (Griezmann 61)

Nigeria:

  • 01 Enyeama
  • 05 Ambrose
  • 02 Yobo
  • 13 Oshaniwa
  • 22 Omeruo
  • 17 Onazi (Gabriel 58)
  • 10 Mikel
  • 07 Musa
  • 11 Moses (Nwofor 88)
  • 08 Odemwingie
  • 09 Emenike

Yellow cards:

France:

  • Matuidi 54

Nigeria:

  • none

Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)