France vs. Nigeria: Full Player Ratings

Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann scored in Brasilia as France defeated Nigeria 2-0 in their round of 16 contest.

Following a sustained siege in front of Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Pogba rose to meet a Mathieu Valbuena corner and headed Les Bleus into the lead in the 79th minute.

Then, in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Griezmann got the slightest of touches to another corner-kick, although Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo appeared to deflect the ball into his own goal.

Following are ratings and analysis for both sets of players.

Half-time analysis for France

Hugo Lloris: Doing well to find the ball in what has been a crowded goalmouth.

Mathieu Debuchy: France have looked at their most dangerous when he’s brought the ball downfield.

Raphael Varane: The 21-year-old has been playing well beyond his years throughout the competition.

Laurent Koscielny: The Arsenal man has so far won everything in the air.

Patrice Evra: Looking vulnerable opposite Musa.

Paul Pogba: Tested Enyeama with a vicious shot after initiating a dangerous counter-attack.

Blaise Matuidi: France’s most reliable midfielder so far in Brasilia.

Yohan Cabaye: Contributed a trio of first-half tackles.

Mathieu Valbuena: Making things happen when he cuts inside.

Olivier Giroud: Yet to place a shot on target.

Karim Benzema: Needs to be much more involved in the second half.

Full-time analysis for France

Hugo Lloris: Did well to deny Odemwingie early in the second half.

Mathieu Debuchy: His crosses generally lacked quality.

Raphael Varane: Picked up a knock shortly after the restart, but was able to continue.

Laurent Koscielny: He dug out every ball that came his way.

Patrice Evra: Faced the bulk of the Nigeria attack and managed to hold.

Paul Pogba: Opened the scoring with a fine header from Valbuena’s corner.

Blaise Matuidi: Should have been shown a red card for his studs-up challenge on Onazi.

Yohan Cabaye: Struck the crossbar with 15 minutes remaining.

Mathieu Valbuena: Grew into the match in the second half and took the corner that allowed Pogba to open the scoring.

Olivier Giroud: Did next to nothing before being replaced by Griezmann.

Karim Benzema: His goal-bound effort was denied at the last moment by Moses.

Antoine Griezmann: Added an insurance marker with a deft touch in front of goal that deflected off Yobo.

Moussa Sissoko: Played just the final few seconds of added time.

Half-time analysis for Nigeria

Vincent Enyeama: His save on Pogba was his best of the first half.

Efe Ambrose: Performing well opposite Benzema.

Joseph Yobo: Making his 100th appearance for Nigeria.

Kenneth Omeruo: Chelsea have a real gem in the 20-year-old.

Juwon Oshaniwa: Allowing Valbuena to cut inside him a bit too often.

John Obi Mikel: Committing a few too many uncharacteristic give-aways in midfield.

Ogenyi Onazi: Was stretchered off following a collision with Pogba but returned to the pitch not long after.

Peter Odemwingie: His distribution in the final third has been excellent.

Victor Moses: His willingness to drop into midfield has been key to Nigeria’s possession game.

Ahmed Musa: Causing Evra all sorts of problems down the right-hand side.

Emmanuel Emenike: Had the ball in the back of the net, but his goal was correctly disallowed for offside.

Full-time analysis for Nigeria

Vincent Enyeama: Was absolutely exceptional until Pogba scored.

Efe Ambrose: Had all sorts of problems with Griezmann.

Joseph Yobo: Should have prevented Pogba scoring and directed Griezmann’s touch into goal.

Kenneth Omeruo: Completed more than 90 percent of his passes out of the defense.

Juwon Oshaniwa: Run into the ground by Debuchy and Valbuena.

John Obi Mikel: Far less effective following Onazi’s injury.

Ogenyi Onazi: Carried off the field of play after having his shin crunched into by Matuidi.

Peter Odemwingie: Had a decent chance to open the scoring in the second half but was stopped by Lloris.

Victor Moses: Chopped the ball off the line to prevent a Benzema goal.

Ahmed Musa: Had far fewer touches in the second half than during the first.

Emmanuel Emenike: As France started to dominate, the service dried up for him.

Reuben Gabriel: A second-half replacement for the injured Onazi.

Uche Nwofor: Introduced for the final minute of normal time.