BELO HORIZONTE: Fran­ce reached the World Cup quarter-finals on Monday with a 2-0 win over Nigeria that left only one African team still in.

Seeking to make up for their humiliating early exit four years ago, the French left it late in Brasilia to break down a hard-working Nigerian team, scoring twice in the last 11 minutes.

Nigerian goalkeeper Vin­cent Enyeama, who had been excellent until then, flapped at a corner in the 79th minute, leaving Paul Pogba an open goal to head into.

The French struck again at the death when Nig­e­rian defender Jos­e­ph Yobo ske­wed across into his own goal.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2014