BY Victor Akhidenor
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have crashed out of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 loss to France.
Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, put France ahead on 79 minutes from a poorly-defended free kick, while Eagles Captain Yobo — making his 100th national-team appearance — put the game to bed in stoppage time by putting the ball into his own net, again off a corner kick.
In what was a largely tight and cagey affair, Nigeria started on strong footing, bossing possession and pinning their opponents to their own half. The French proved to be that bit more clinical in front of goal to record a win that sealed their advancement to the last eight for the first time since they reached the final in 2006.
Both sides had good chances in the first half, as they both ventured forward looking for the opener.
Emmanuel Emenike thought he had put his side ahead in the 20th minute, but his close-range finish from Ahmed Musa’s low cross was correctly ruled out for offside.
Three minutes later and it was France’s turn to go close to breaking the deadlock. It came after star man Pogba saw his volley from the penalty spot brilliantly turned around the post by an alert Vincent Enyeama.
Going into the break, the two sides were well-matched, and that pattern continued into the second, as both went forward in search of a winner.
Neither side was able to create any real out-and-out chance until Victor Moses was forced to hook a Karim Benzema effort off his own line in the 70th minute after the Real Madrid striker linked up well with Antoine Griezmann.
France almost took the lead in the 78th when ex-Newcastle man Yohan Cabaye saw an effort from the edge of the area come back off the bar, before Enyeama tipped Benzema’s follow-up over the top.
A minute later, the pressure finally counted. Pogba headed in at the far post after the otherwise outstanding Enyeama flapped at a corner.
The Super Eagles struggled to fight their way back into the contest, with the French defending resiliently and posing a threat on the counter attack.
Their superior quality in front of goal counted again in the closing stages, as Griezmann nipped in at the near post trying to turn home Mathieu Valbuena’s low cross, but the final touch came off veteran defender Yobo.
France now meet either Germany or Algeria in the quarter finals.
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