Hugo Lloris – Safe pair of hands when called upon. Good save from an Odemwingie drive from outside the box just after the hour mark. 7
Mathieu Debuchy – Struggled to find room to run into over on the right touchline. 6
Patrice Evra – Found it hard to penetrate the Nigerian defence from down the left flank. Defensively sound. 6
Yohann Cabaye – Great effort from 25 yards to rattle the crossbar on 77 minutes. It’s still shaking. 7
Raphael Varane – Composed and confident at the back, great positioning throughout. 8
Laurent Koscielny – Solid at the back for the French, perhaps could of posed more of a threat from set plays. 7
Paul Pogba – Truly majestic roaming in the middle of the park, encapsulated by a fantastic first half move started and finished by the former Manchester United man, forcing a good stop from Nigeria’s number one. Found himself in the right place, at the right time to capitalise on Enyeama’s floundering for the opening goal. 8
Blaise Matuidi – Wiry and strong in midfield. Nasty tackle on Onazi, received a yellow card but in retrospect, could have warranted more. Found it difficult in the middle second half as Nigeria controlled the game for long periods. 6
Olivier Giroud – A curious elbow left on Chelsea’s Mikel in the first half, no reprimand forthcoming as the referee didn’t see it, naughty. Few opportunities came the way of the Arsenal striker in a target man role. 6
Mathieu Valbuena – Marshalled well in the first half by the opposition but found more space to run at the Nigerian defence in the second half. Thanks in part by Griezmann’s movement. 7
Karim Benzema – In the first half the Real Madrid forward looked isolated on the left side. Came alive after the addition of Griezmann, cut in more centrally for a one two with the substitute, but for Moses tracking back on the goal line, would have score the opening goal with 20 minutes to play. Constant threat thereafter. 7
Substitutes
Antoine Griezmann – On for Giroud, positive and lively in the final third, showed some great link up play with Benzema. Created problems for the Nigerians and made a difference when he came on. Provided the spark to reignite the French. Bagged a goal late on to seal the deal. 9 (Man of the match)
Moussa Sissoko on for Valbuena – N/A
Nigeria
Vincent Enyeama – Good save to thwart Pogba in the first half. Made some vital stops after Griezmann came on. Prone to error and was at fault for France’s first goal. 7
Efetobore Ambrose Emuobo – Capable attacking option and disciplined to get back and help out his team in defence. 7
Juwon Oshaniwa – Gave the ball back to Pogba in a dangerous area to prolong a French attack. Did well to clear the ball off Pogba’s boot after an error by Enyeama in the second half to make amends. 6
John-Obi Mikel – Great work in the midfield, chased down well. Moved the ball quicker than we have seen so far in this tournament to release the likes of Musa, Moses and Ambrose on the overlap. 8
Joseph Yobo – Having amassed 100 caps for the Super Eagles, the defender was a composed presence at the back. 7
Kenneth Omeruo – Stewarded the ball well for the Super Eagles. 7
Peter Odemwingie – Good anticipation and created space to pass into. Confident in possession. 7
Ogenyi Onazi – Battered and bruised, suffered a nasty looking challenge from Matuidi in the second half, came off on a stretcher. 6
Emmanuel Emenike – Posed a real attacking threat. Good hit from outside the box in the first 45. His shoot on sight mentality caused concern for the French. However, couldn’t beat Lloris. 7
Victor Moses – Showed good movement going forward, something rarely seen at Anfield last season. 8
Ahmed Musa – As shown earlier in the tournament, full of running and endeavor, dangerous in spells. Arguably went missing as the French pressed. 7
Substitutes
Ruben Gabriel on for Onazi – Slotted in well to solidify Nigerian possession. 7
