France vs Nigeria
Monday, June 30, 2014
Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Kick-off: 1.30 am Sri Lankan Time.
Referee: Mark Geiger (USA).
France have been excellent at the World Cup so far, with Didier Deschamps' side showing no signs of the major tournament capitulation that haunted them throughout recent years. The team comfortably blitzed Honduras and Switzerland by three-goal margins in the group stages, and was only held scoreless by eliminated Ecuador after making a string of changes to its starting lineup.
They're certainly looking likely to progress into the quarterfinals, though Nigeria will be looking to stop them in their first knockout game on Monday. Stephen Keshi's side weren't great in the group stages, winning one of their three games, though nothing seems certain at this tournament.
Yohan Cabaye returns to the France midfield after missing the 0-0 draw with ecudor through suspension.
Nigeria's Victor Moses had been the main injury concern the Chelsea winger trained on Saturday.
Only midfielder Michael Babatunde is missing with a broken wrist.
- Nigeria are in the last 16 for the first time since France '98.
- Now they meet a French team who have grown up together and remain one of the tournament favourites.
- France have impressed and with Cabaye available should be too strong for the Africans.
