France vs. Nigeria

FIFA World Cup / 30 June 2014, 16:00

France and Nigeria will face each other in the World Cup Round of 16 on Monday, 30 June, with both teams eager to avoid elimination.

These teams have played each other once before, in June 2009 when Algeria beat France 1-0. However, France performed much more strongly in the Group Stage of the competition. They finished top of Group E having won two matches and drawn once. During their three games they scored eight goals and conceded just two.

The French team should at full strength for this match as Patrice Evra, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena were all rested during the final group match against Ecuador.

Nigeria finished second in Group F to qualify. The team won one match, drew one and lost another. The team scored just three goals in the Group Stage, but also conceded just three. John Obi Mikel will be essential to Nigeria’s efforts and how he plays could determine the outcome of the match. In general the squad is extremely fast and they counter-attack aggressively.

France needs to defend strongly and keep the Nigerian Strikers Musa and Peter Odemwingie under wraps. During the Group Stage France didn’t face a single team that attacked as aggressively as Nigeria and it will be a real test of their defence.

Nigeria has the chance to pull off one of the biggest shocks of the tournament but they will have to work hard to achieve it. If they do, then there is a real chance they could become the first African squad to advance past the quarter-finals in a World Cup.

Match Results – France vs. Nigeria

	France	2	Click here for France vs. Nigeria Match Recap
	Nigeria	0

France:Paul Pogba 79′, Joseph Yobo 90 + 2′ (Nigeria Own Goal)