Pogba inspires the French into the quarter-finals

Photo: Pogba celebrates his first goal of the World Cup with his teammates. (Getty Images)

Young Juventus midfielder and the rising star of French Football Paul Pogba showed his class against African Champions Nigeria to set-up a 2-0 victory in their round of 16 encounter. The classy midfielder broke the deadlock late on and an own goal from Joseph Yobo in stoppage time gave Les Bleus a hard fought win in a game where they were really pushed to the limit.

Nigeria settled quickly using the pace of Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa. John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi dominated the midfield area even though the athleticism of Pogba and Blaise Matuidi threatened in the first half. Striker Emmanuel Emenike thought he had opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he diverted Musa’s cross pass Hugo LLoris into the back of the net but he was caught fractionally offside. Perhaps they had deserved the lead as they were really on top of the French at this point.

Pogba then tested Vincent Enyeama with a volley but the Lille goalkeeper was equal to the task. It was a move Pogba started as he drove through midfield before releasing Mathieu Valbuena down the right. The cross from Valbuena was met with a spectacular volley from the 21 year old but Enyeama made an excellent stop on 23 minutes. Nigeria were getting closer themselves but on 30 minutes Laurent Koscielny made a great block as Peter Odemwingie worked his way beyond two defenders before the Arsenal defender snuffed out the danger.

Valbuena created another great chance for France to take the lead when his pass fell nicely to right back Mathieu Debuchy but he couldn’t hit the target from just inside the box with 40 minutes on the clock. The half ended goalless but the French had weathered the Super Eagle’s storm and looked threatening themselves.

The second half started like the first with Nigeria keeping the ball well and France keeping their shape and standing strong in defense. Les Bleus created a good chance on 59 minutes when Valbuena set-up Debuchy again but his effort was blocked by Kenneth Omeruo. Karim Benzema came the closest to scoring when he got in behind the defense and fired on target. His shot was saved partially by Enyeama but Victor Moses was on hand to complete the clearance off the line on 70 minutes.

Pogba finally broke the deadlock on 79 minutes just seconds after being denied by Enyeama. The youngster kept his cool to head into an empty net after Enyeama flapped at Valbuena’s corner and the ball fell on the head of the former Manchester United youngster who headed home calmly. Nigeria pushed men forward using the pace of Musa to try and find the equalizer but to no avail.

The victory was sealed from another corner in the first minute of stoppage time. Benzema took the corner short to Valbuena who dribbled past one defender before crossing for substitute Antoine Griezmann but it was Nigeria capatain, Yobo who got the telling touch which diverted the ball into the back of the net.

The scoreline may not have reflected the game but the quality of the French in the attacking third came through at the end. Nigeria could not find the final quality required in the attacking third and for all their impressive play they just couldn’t get pass Lloris. It was a valiant effort from the Super Eagles and they can be proud of their efforts.