Wednesday, July 02, 2014

WORLD CUP 2014: France 2 - 0 Nigeria

Les Bleus had been kept at bay by Nigeria for much of the match, It had been a fairly miserable game for Giroud, who had not clicked at all with Karim Benzema, and he came off just after an hour for Antoine Griezmann.

The change had an immediate impact. Benzema's one-two with Griezmann on the edge of the box came off perfectly but Enyeama managed to take the pace out of the Real Madrid striker's shot and Victor Moses hooked it clear off the line.
France continued to press and Benzema's cross-shot was scooped clear before Yohan Cabaye came as close as anyone had to scoring when his 20-yard strike crashed back off the crossbar. Finally, France made the breakthrough and it was hugely unfortunate for Enyeama that having been so heroic, it was his flap at Valbuena's corner that saw the ball drop nicely for Pogba to direct a header into the unguarded net.

Enyeama made up for it with another fabulous stop to keep out Griezmann's fiercely-struck effort but France were not to be denied and Griezmann's step-over from Valbuena's cross saw the ball hit the unfortunate Yobo on the shin - who had broken Nigeria's World Cup appearance record - and roll into the net.

>> Match Highlights <<

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