BRASILIA — It was not as comfortable as the 2-0 scoreline suggests but France, inspired by a substitution that changed the complexion of the...
BRASILIA — It was not as comfortable as the 2-0 scoreline suggests but France, inspired by a substitution that changed the complexion of the game, eventually broke Nigeria’s resistance to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup football finals on Monday.
It took 79 minutes for a goal to arrive and it felt desperately cruel that the otherwise outstanding Vincent Enyeama should be the man who gifted France the lead. Paul Pogba took full advantage and Joseph Yobo’s late own goal sealed Nigeria’s fate.
For the first hour, there had been nothing to choose between the two teams, but the introduction of Antoine Griezmann for the anonymous Olivier Giroud gave France the impetus to take the game to Nigeria.
With Karim Benzema now taking up a central striking role, France looked a totally different proposition and laid siege to the Nigeria goal. Enyeama made two superb saves to thwart Benzema and Yohan Cabaye was denied by the woodwork, but eventually the breakthrough came.
Coming for a corner that he had no chance of getting, Enyeama flapped at the ball and Pogba had the simple task of heading into the guarding net.
Yobo, under pressure from Griezmann, then put through his own net. The game was up for Nigeria. France quickly knew that they had a match on their hands here.
Snapping into tackles and dangerous areas whenever they broke forward, Nigeria proved to be awkward opponents and came within inches of taking an early lead.
Ahmed Musa swept a low in-swinging cross towards the near post and Emmanuel Emenike, slipping away from Laurent Koscielny, neatly converted. The stadium erupted, but the raised flag of the assistant referee on the far side cut the celebrations short. With Ogenyi Onazi breaking up play and Musa, Emenike and Peter Odemwingie all lively going forward, France were unable to control the game in the first half and there were signs of frustration.
With Griezmann coming on in the second half, Benzema was liberated and France dominated. The momentum was now firmly with France. Nigeria were unable to stem the tide. Valbuena’s free-kick was met by a thumping Benzema header that Enyeama turned over the bar and from the corner that followed Enyeama made his blunder.
Pogba headed home and any hopes Nigeria had of getting back into the game were extinguished when Yobo put through his own net in added time.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has finally apologised to Giorgio Chiellini after biting the Italy defender at the World Cup.
In a statement released on his personal website, which was then tweeted by Suarez, he wrote: “After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on June 24, 2014.
“Independent from the fallout and the contradicting declarations that have surfaced during these past days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me.
“For this: I deeply regret what occurred. I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never be another incident like.”
Chiellini tweeted last night: “It’s all forgotten. I hope Fifa will reduce your suspension.” — Daily Mail
It took 79 minutes for a goal to arrive and it felt desperately cruel that the otherwise outstanding Vincent Enyeama should be the man who gifted France the lead. Paul Pogba took full advantage and Joseph Yobo’s late own goal sealed Nigeria’s fate.
For the first hour, there had been nothing to choose between the two teams, but the introduction of Antoine Griezmann for the anonymous Olivier Giroud gave France the impetus to take the game to Nigeria.
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| Nigeria’s Super Eagles fly home.. as Suarez apologises |
Coming for a corner that he had no chance of getting, Enyeama flapped at the ball and Pogba had the simple task of heading into the guarding net.
Yobo, under pressure from Griezmann, then put through his own net. The game was up for Nigeria. France quickly knew that they had a match on their hands here.
Snapping into tackles and dangerous areas whenever they broke forward, Nigeria proved to be awkward opponents and came within inches of taking an early lead.
Ahmed Musa swept a low in-swinging cross towards the near post and Emmanuel Emenike, slipping away from Laurent Koscielny, neatly converted. The stadium erupted, but the raised flag of the assistant referee on the far side cut the celebrations short. With Ogenyi Onazi breaking up play and Musa, Emenike and Peter Odemwingie all lively going forward, France were unable to control the game in the first half and there were signs of frustration.
With Griezmann coming on in the second half, Benzema was liberated and France dominated. The momentum was now firmly with France. Nigeria were unable to stem the tide. Valbuena’s free-kick was met by a thumping Benzema header that Enyeama turned over the bar and from the corner that followed Enyeama made his blunder.
Pogba headed home and any hopes Nigeria had of getting back into the game were extinguished when Yobo put through his own net in added time.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has finally apologised to Giorgio Chiellini after biting the Italy defender at the World Cup.
In a statement released on his personal website, which was then tweeted by Suarez, he wrote: “After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on June 24, 2014.
“Independent from the fallout and the contradicting declarations that have surfaced during these past days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me.
“For this: I deeply regret what occurred. I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never be another incident like.”
Chiellini tweeted last night: “It’s all forgotten. I hope Fifa will reduce your suspension.” — Daily Mail
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