Yeah he's been impressive, good run just then.

But they demonstrated what a sharp footballing brain Suarez has. Shame it doesn't seem to work very well in other areas.

Without being disrespectful, it's a shame the likes of Rodriguez and Matuidi play in France.

Yup, part-genius part-madman.

Good strike Emenike.

Nigeria just doing well to relieve the pressure they're being put under at the end of this first half.

The flawed genius a la Maradona and Zidane.

Not an unusual combination, comes from living on the edge.

Yep, I had the impression France were playing rather too early for half time, slice of orange and caviar.

Decent first half.

http://a.pomf.se/mndnmo.gif

Another elbow from Giroud?

Thoroughly entertaining half, just lacking that cutting edge in front of goal.

That looked level or at least attackers advantage for the offside decision

I think he was telling the ref he was being elbowed, but elbowed someone in the face while doing it

Good little first half - and the Nigerians are to thank for that as they've got forward repeatedly, passed well and created some good chances.

France just began to assert themselves at the end of the half and play men in down the flanks and behind the Nigerian defence, but the final touch has been lacking.


But level is attacker's advantage; it doesn't extend to marginal offside being given as onside.

Heck of a pace for much of that half; must have taken something out of the players. I couldn't call it now.

Time for the pundits to tell us the first goal will be crucial.

i.e., It will be the first goal ...

I won't be surprised if Giroud is taken off.

I'd like to see Benzema played through the middle. He's not really a winger.

Good physical contest - quite impressed that Nigeria are definitely giving the French a game and a lot to worry about.

Who would be a natural substitute for Giroud; I don't really know much about most of the French substitutes.

Griezmann with Benzema playing central.

I seem to have had a different feel for the last few minutes of the first half. While France were dominating territorially, I felt they had reduced to almost walking pace, van Gaal let's loose to Mexico pace. And it was then Nigeria had their best attempt at a goal. I'm just wondering - because I don't listen to the pundits at all - if France have expended more energy for little reward than they should have done.

The striker's foot looked pretty clearly offside to me.

Thanks

Please take Giroud off. Reminding me of just what we can expect for another long season at Arsenal
Griezmann on l.h.s and Benzema central. Amazed that Deschamps didn't do that at HT.
Giroud is just dreadful.

Victor Moses has the turning circle of a freight tanker.