France makes it to the quarters

France edged past Nigeria 2-0 in the round of 16-match in Brailia to book a place in the last 8. The scoreline however doesn’t suggest the kind of match it was. Nigeria might consider them a bit unfortunate as failed to convert even when they had the French under immense pressure.

Throughout the first half neither team could be distinguished on the basis of performance as it was very much even-steven in the end. Both teams got few chances which they could not make capital of. And it was quite justified that the score was 0-0 at the end of the first 45 minutes.

The beginning of the second half saw the Africans coming up in numbers and landing with threatening attacks in the French defence. It was their inability to produce a telling final through ball on few occasions and on the other poor finishing made them pay in the end. France after a jittery performance in the first quarter of the second half came back strongly much inspired by the bringing on of Greizman in place of slightly off-colour Oliver Giroud. Still France couldn’t find the illusive first goal. Yohan Cabaye hit the bar from distance and it remained from where it all began. Finally it was Paul Pogba who broke the deadlock in the 79^th minute with a well-placed header after the Nigerian had failed to make a proper clearance. It came as a severe blow for the African champions and their heads began to droop visibly. It was in the 1^st minute of stoppage time that France made it 2-0. Yobo, Nigeria’s captain, who won the 100^th international cap in the previous match, deflected the ball wickedly into the back of the net. France led 2-0 and it was all but over as few minutes were remaining.

It was a brave fight from Nigeria. Perhaps a bit more discipline in front of the goal could have earned them a famous victory. But in the end France stayed afloat and will face the winner of the match between Germany and Algeria in the quarter final. That will be the first real test for France if Germany makes it to the quarter, which looks more possible. In that case France really needs to pull up their game as tonight they were simply out of their true colours.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.