FIFA World Cup: France vs Nigeria
Date: 30 June 2014
Time: 17h00
Venue: Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha
Nigeria go into tomorrow's second round FIFA World Cup clash with France on the back of some impressive performances in the Group Stages.
The Super Eagles advanced from the group stages despite losing their last game 3-2 against Argentina, thanks to their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They now face an in-form French side led by Real Madrid's Benzima. This is bound to be one of the most exciting matches of the round, with both sides playing attackig football. We've looked at some of the key stats ahead of this game:
This will be only the second international meeting between France and Nigeria. The Super Eagles won the previous meeting 1-0 in Saint-Etienne back in June 2009.
France have lost two of their last three World Cup matches against African nations (2002 v Senegal and 2010 v South Africa). They beat Togo between these two defeats, in 2006.
Nigeria have scored a goal in all but one of their previous 10 World Cup finals matches against European sides.
The Super Eagles are aiming to become just the fourth African side to make the quarter finals of a World Cup tournament (after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010).
Nigeria have lost both of their previous World Cup second round ties – 1-2 v Italy in 1994 and 1-4 v Denmark in 1998.
France have won all three of their previous second round ties at the World Cup (2-0 v Italy in 1986, 1-0 v Paraguay in 1998 and 3-1 v Spain in 2006).
Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper during the 2013-14 French Ligue 1 season for Lille.
Karim Benzema has scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for France, including three goals in his three appearances at this World Cup. Source:http://www.sl10.ng/news/articles/leagues/world-cup/world-cup-stats-nigeria-s-france/167538