A game lasts 90 minutes and we finished very well Deschamps said. We had a very strong last half an hour with more dynamism and speed. When you look at the recent past of the French national team I am very proud to be in the last eight of this World Cup. We came very far. Whatever happens now it s not failure.
Of Giroud s specific performance Deschamps said He was a support for Benzema his headers defensively and offensively were important. I could have started with Griezmann but would it have worked No one knows. The caveat for France s seamless progress through the tournament had always been the relative weakness of their group and it was quickly obvious that Nigeria would pose a considerable threat.
With Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa providing pace out wide and Peter Odemwingie given licence to roam in the space behind Emenike Nigeria were fearless in how they approached the match. Odemwingie s running between France s midfield and defence was a particular threat with Nigeria unfortunate not to be ahead at half time. From a free kick that was cleverly directed towards France s near post by Musa Emenike deftly cushioned his finish between Hugo Lloris and the post.
Subsequent replays suggested that Emenike was offside but only by the narrowest of distances.
Deschamps had actually made six changes from France s previous match against Ecuador when his team were already qualified but far from benefiting from the rest key players initially looked jaded. With Giroud handed the responsibility of knitting together France s attack from the centre forward s position Benzema was asked to play out wide on the left. France s most convincing passages of first half football however all involved Pogba and Mathieu Valbuena who combined to produce one particularly slick move that ended with Pogba s volley forcing Enyeama to make a good save.
Mathieu Debuchy was also threatening with his overlapping runs down the right and after another clever exchange between Valbuena and Pogba wasted an excellent chance with a wayward shot. It was soon clear that France s attacking formation was not working with Giroud laboured and Benzema peripheral. Giroud had also been fortunate in the first half when he appeared to throw an elbow albeit with limited force into the face of John Obi Mikel.
Referee Mark Geiger was then even more lenient when Matuidi s dangerous studs up challenge put Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi out of the game with an ankle injury. The introduction of Griezmann allowed Benzema to move into his preferred role as the main central striker and he was soon clear on goal after an exchange of passes with the Real Sociedad winger.
Benzema tried to slide his shot beneath Enyeama who got just enough contact to slow the ball and allow Moses to clear off the line. With Benzema clearly energised by the tactical change France suddenly came to life and played what was easily their best football of the match.
Valbuena had a shot cleared off the line and Cabaye then rattled the crossbar with the follow up. The quality of Valbuena s delivery was evident when he crossed for Benzema to force another wonderful save from Enyeama.
The Nigeria goalkeeper was delivering an outstanding performance but from the resulting corner the adrenalin seemed to get the better of him. Valbuena s cross was again precise but Enyeama made an ill judged attempt to collect the cross and only succeeded in palming the ball towards Pogba who gratefully aimed his header into an empty goal.
Admirably Enyeama did not let the mistake affect him and actually made another excellent late save to deny Benzema.
By then however it was a case of too little too late for Nigeria with France completing their passage into the quarter finals when Valbuena s cross was turned into his own goal by Yobo.
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