BRASILIA, Brazil - After being touted as one of the World Cups entertainers, it was a gritty performance which got France throu

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BRASILIA, Brazil - After being touted as one of the World Cups entertainers, it was a gritty performance which got France through to the quarterfinals in a 2-0 victory over Nigeria on Monday. Kobe Bryant Shoes Sell . Frances forward line had made headlines with eight goals in its opening two group games, but there was little flair on display in a hard-fought contest against the African champions. France needed a late header from midfielder Paul Pogba and an injury-time own goal from defender Joseph Yobo to overcome a robust Nigeria. The reward is a quarterfinal against Germany on Friday at Rio de Janeiros Maracana stadium, following the Germans 2-1 victory over Algeria. Pogbas goal in the 79th minute followed Nigerias best spell of the match and came soon after France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had made a crucial save to deny Peter Odemwingie. "Were not the prettiest or the best, but we can do good things," France coach Didier Deschamps said after the game. "The deliverance came late. There was a lot of tension because we were up against a very athletic side and there were a lot of challenges." Nigeria, which had a goal ruled out for offside in the 19th minute after Emmanuel Emenike poked home Ahmed Musas cross from the left, wasted a lot of second-half possession. Four years ago, France crashed out of the group stage, shamed a nation by going on strike and was jeered by its own fans and lambasted by politicians in the fallout from an embarrassing tournament. Its very different situation now. "Im proud of my players because were coming back from very far. I think weve given a lot of pleasure back to our fans," Deschamps said. "I think there were 5,000 here and millions back home who will feel proud." Pogbas crucial goal came after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had just made a superb save to tip over Karim Benzemas header. But he he flapped at the ball from the ensuing corner and Pogba pounced in the 79th minute for his first World Cup goal. That atoned for placing a volley too close to Enyeama in a scrappy first half. Scoring such a crucial goal will boost his confidence heading into the last eight game. "We have four days left to prepare for another battle," Deschamps said. Yobo, who announced his international retirement after the game, turned the ball into his own net in stoppage time under pressure from France substitute Antoine Griezmann. At the final whistle, Frances relieved players danced in front of their fans as dreams of a repeat run to the final — just like in 2006 — moved a step closer. "We had the whole country behind us," Pogba said. "Its one of the proudest moments of my life." France started slowly and finished strongly in the second round match. "Ive yet to see a team play well over the whole 90 minutes," Deschamps said. "Nigeria dropped off a bit and that allowed us to get on top." After Griezmann came on, Benzema finally came alive in the 70th, opening up the defence after a clever one-two with the France substitute. After Enyeama blocked Benzemas initial shot, his follow-up effort was hacked clear by Victor Moses. Video technology confirmed that the ball had not crossed the line. France failed to show the attacking flair of previous games, with Giroud skewing a shot wide early on. He also appeared to elbow John Obi Mikel in an off-the ball incident, having done the same in last weeks 0-0 draw with Ecuador after coming on as a second-half substitute. "The referee saw it and didnt even give him a warning. Not a yellow card, nothing," Mikel said. "The intention was there." Keshi was highly critical of American referee Mark Geigers handling of the game. "The ref is a human being, but a lot of mistakes were questionable," he said. "Giroud elbow, Pogba foot up ... he decides what happens on the field. Im not happy with the ref." Two chances were missed late in the half. Full-back Mathieu Debuchy smacked a shot wide and into the back of a steward, and Emenike saw his sharp drive from the edge of the area palmed away by Lloris. With Nigeria starting to dominate possession, Deschamps made a key change in the 62nd, taking Giroud off and bringing on Griezmann, freeing Benzema to play through the middle. Nigeria continued to push forward and centre half Laurent Kocielny cut out Musas dangerous cross from the right. But toward the end, it was all France as Griezmann boosted the attack. He almost made it 2-0 in the 85th that Enyeama tipped over brilliantly. Instead, it fell to Yobo to inadvertently add Frances second goal. ___ Lineups: France: Hugo Lloris; Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Laurent Koscielny, Patrice Evra; Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi; Mathieu Valbuena (Moussa Sissoko, 94th), Olivier Giroud (Antoine Griezmann, 62nd), Karim Benzema. Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama; Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Juwon Oshaniwa; Ogenyi Onazi (Ruben Gabriel, 59th), John Obi Mikel; Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie, Victor Moses (Uche Nwofor, 89th); Emmanuel Emenike. Fake Air Max 1 For Sale . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Cheap Lebron Shoes .Y. -- Mike Zigomaniss goal at 5:53 of the third period stood up as the winner as the Rochester Americans hung on to defeat the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/ . "It was a little weird looking over and seeing all the green uniforms," he said of his first game against the Boston Celtics.Salford have been docked six points after being found guilty of breaching the Super League salary cap. The Red Devils were also fined £5,000 by an independent tribunal for breaking the Rugby Football Leagues operational rules and salary cap regulations concerning contractual arrangements made with three players in 2014 and 2015.The tribunal, chaired by Judge Peter Charlesworth found that Salford had committed a serious breach of the rules including exceeding the finite salary limit of £1.825m in 2014. The points deduction will be imposed immediately, which means Salford drop to 11th in the Super League table, above only bottom club Huddersfield on points difference.The tribunal also found Salford not guilty of a number of offences concerning contractual arrangements with two players.The club have 14 days from the receipt of the written reasons for the decision in which to lodge an appeal.But Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash told Sky Sports News HQ he was not considering an appeal because the club would not get a fair trial, because it would be another court by the RFL.By a quirky twist of fate, Koukash had tweeted on April 1 that Salford had been docked six points for breaching the cap and pledged to fight the punishment. Highlights from Salfords 42-32 defeat at Catalans on Saturday The wealthy racehorse owner was in bullish mood as he entered the RFL headquarters at Red Hall, on the outskirts of Leeds, with a three-man legal team, expressing his confidence about the outcome, but he was a downcast figure when he emerged six hours later. Air Max 97 Plus Black. The tribunal have made a decision which we disagree with, said lawyer Paul Barrow, of Liverpool-based Quinn Barrow solicitorsWere disappointed, six points is ridiculously unfair on a young squad who are trying really hard and have got lots to aim for this season.The RFL launched their investigation into Salfords affairs after Bradford chairman Marc Green initially raised questions over their signing of Tony Puletua from St Helens in 2014. Salford owner Marwan Koukash is not happy with the outcome Koukash insisted his club did nothing wrong over Puletua and also maintains his actions in gifting 2015 player of the year Niall Evalds with a Maserati car were carried out within the regulations.We had a very good case and we were confident and were very shocked by the outcome, Koukash told SSNHQ.We havent done anything wrong. We havent breached the salary cap. Also See: Salford Red Devils Rugby League on Sky Fixtures and results Follow @SkySportsRL Pundits ' ' '