IT WAS EUROPE versus Africa on the third day of second round action with France taking on Nigeria and Germany tackling Algeria.
Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama makes the mistake that leads to France's first goal. Hassan Ammar / AP/Press Association Images
Hassan Ammar / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
In the day’s first game, Nigeria gave France some real scares – especially in the first half - when Emmanuel Emenike’s goal was ruled out for offside.
After that though, the French pressed forward, helped when Nigeria suffered a blow early in the second period as Ogenyi Onazi had to be stretchered off after an ugly, ankle-high challenge by Blaise Matuidi, who escaped with only a caution.
Faced with growing Nigeria confidence, Didier Deschamps introduced Antoine Griezmann, a move which changed the game. On 79 minutes, seconds after making a brilliant stop, Vincent Enyeama fluffed his lines in the Nigerian goal and allowed Paul Pogba to head home.
France made it 2-0 at the death when Yobo, under pressure from Griezmann, inadvertently steered Mathieu Valbuena’s drilled cross into his own net.
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André Schürrle introduction was key to Germany's victory. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP/Press Association Images
Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
In the late kick off, Germany failed to break down a stubborn Algerian side in normal time but made amends just seconds into extra-time when substitute André Schürrle found the net with the most delicate of flicks.
It was tough on Algeria who put the Germans under pressure for vast swathes of the game; Joachim Löw’s men needing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to bail them out in his quasi-sweeper role on half-a-dozen occasions.
The introduction of Schürrle in the second half did seem to give the Germans more impetus but the Chelsea man wouldn’t prove his worth until the opening minute of extra-time when his neat touch finally saw Raïs M’Bohli beaten in the Algeria goal.
As the Algerians sought an equaliser, Mesut Özil made it 2-0 late on before Abdelmoumene Djabou grabbed grabbed a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game.
Winner
After impressing in their first two games, France find themselves in the quarter-finals of the World Cup despite delivering underwhelming performances in their last two.
However, winning while playing badly is much better than playing well and booking your tickets home, just ask Nigeria and Algeria.
That said, France will need to significantly improve if they’re to get past Germany in the next round and reach the semi-finals.
Loser
Nigeria and Algeria gave such a good account of themselves it would be unfair to label either as losers despite being, technically, correct.
Instead, we’ll settle for the Germany coach or player who came up with this awful free kick routine.
Just brutal.
http://vine.co/v/MFUIWQKVPDE
Joga Bonito
I’m as shocked as you are that John Obi Mikel would ever grace the Joga Bonito section of Breakfast… but this back heel nutmeg was incredibly cheeky.
The look on Pogba’s face says it all.
http://vine.co/v/MFtwe1aThd7
What we’ve got to look forward to today
The Alpine Messi meets the original one as Argentina take on Switzerland in the early kick-off. The 9pm game – and final second round fixture – sees Belgium and USA go head-to-head for hipster hearts.
Breakfast at Bebeto's: All you need to know from last night’s World Cup action
On Day 19…
IT WAS EUROPE versus Africa on the third day of second round action with France taking on Nigeria and Germany tackling Algeria.
In the day’s first game, Nigeria gave France some real scares – especially in the first half - when Emmanuel Emenike’s goal was ruled out for offside.
After that though, the French pressed forward, helped when Nigeria suffered a blow early in the second period as Ogenyi Onazi had to be stretchered off after an ugly, ankle-high challenge by Blaise Matuidi, who escaped with only a caution.
Faced with growing Nigeria confidence, Didier Deschamps introduced Antoine Griezmann, a move which changed the game. On 79 minutes, seconds after making a brilliant stop, Vincent Enyeama fluffed his lines in the Nigerian goal and allowed Paul Pogba to head home.
France made it 2-0 at the death when Yobo, under pressure from Griezmann, inadvertently steered Mathieu Valbuena’s drilled cross into his own net.
In the late kick off, Germany failed to break down a stubborn Algerian side in normal time but made amends just seconds into extra-time when substitute André Schürrle found the net with the most delicate of flicks.
It was tough on Algeria who put the Germans under pressure for vast swathes of the game; Joachim Löw’s men needing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to bail them out in his quasi-sweeper role on half-a-dozen occasions.
The introduction of Schürrle in the second half did seem to give the Germans more impetus but the Chelsea man wouldn’t prove his worth until the opening minute of extra-time when his neat touch finally saw Raïs M’Bohli beaten in the Algeria goal.
As the Algerians sought an equaliser, Mesut Özil made it 2-0 late on before Abdelmoumene Djabou grabbed grabbed a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game.
Winner
After impressing in their first two games, France find themselves in the quarter-finals of the World Cup despite delivering underwhelming performances in their last two.
However, winning while playing badly is much better than playing well and booking your tickets home, just ask Nigeria and Algeria.
That said, France will need to significantly improve if they’re to get past Germany in the next round and reach the semi-finals.
Loser
Nigeria and Algeria gave such a good account of themselves it would be unfair to label either as losers despite being, technically, correct.
Instead, we’ll settle for the Germany coach or player who came up with this awful free kick routine.
Just brutal.
http://vine.co/v/MFUIWQKVPDE
Joga Bonito
I’m as shocked as you are that John Obi Mikel would ever grace the Joga Bonito section of Breakfast… but this back heel nutmeg was incredibly cheeky.
The look on Pogba’s face says it all.
http://vine.co/v/MFtwe1aThd7
What we’ve got to look forward to today
The Alpine Messi meets the original one as Argentina take on Switzerland in the early kick-off. The 9pm game – and final second round fixture – sees Belgium and USA go head-to-head for hipster hearts.
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Brazil 2014 breakfast at bebeto's World Cup 2014 Day 19 Algeria France Germany Nigeria World Cup 2014 World Cup Wrap