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Day 19

Breakfast at Bebeto's: All you need to know from last night’s World Cup action

Germany and France both left it late as they advanced to the quarter-finals.

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.

Brazil Soccer WCup France Nigeria 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.

Brazil Soccer WCup Germany Algeria 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.

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