FIFA World Cup 2014: France and Nigeria

Netherlands – Mexico 2-1: Miguel Herrera’s change into ultra defensive tactics already after 60 minutes left Mexico out of the World Cup.

Defence: 1,5 – 1,5                                

Midfield: 1,5 – 1,5

Attack:1,5 – 1,5

Interplay: 1,5 – 1,5

TOTAL: 6 – 6

13. Ochoa (MEX) – 1,5
11. Robben (NED) – 1,5

6. Herrera (MEX) – 1,5

4. R. Marquez (MEX) – 1

7. Layun (MEX) – 1

20. Aquino (MEX) – 0,5

10. Dos Santos (MEX) – 0,5

21. Depay (NED) – 0,5

Costa Rica – Greece 1-1 (5-3 pen.): Greece’s passive football in the extra time prevented the team from earning a quarterfinal-place.

Defence: 1 – 1

Midfield: 0,5 – 1

Attack: 0,5 - 1

Interplay: 1 - 1

TOTAL: 3 – 4

20. Cholebas (GRE) – 1,5

4. Manolas (GRE) – 1

1. Navas (CRC) - 1
19. Sokratis (GRE) - 1
9. Campbell (CRC) - 1

10. Ruiz (CRC) – 0,5

7. Bolanos (CRC) – 0,5

7. Samaras (GRE) – 0,5

France

One of the most impressive teams of the group stage was Didier Deschamps’s France. Easily beating Honduras and smashing Switzerland, the team played the last match using the reserve. A very young and enthusiastic team of France uses an attacking 4-3-3 formation, where wingbacks turn into wingers, central midfielders are also forwards, and the winger Valbuena is the playmaker. But everything turns around
Matuidi in the middle and Karim Benzema in front, who is surely the biggest star of the team in the absence of Franck Ribery.

Deschamps will have to use some tactical tricks to cheat Nigeria. He tested an unusual 4-5-1 in the match against Ecuador, but will most probably drop experiments. The team will dictate the tempo all the way until they score their third. But there has to be some form of caution, knowing how dangerous Nigeria’s counterattacks can be.

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 8 - 2

Topscorer (s): Benzema (3)

Team marks: 6,5 + 7 + 4,5 = 18,0
Average mark: 6,0
Best players: Benzema (4,0), Matuidi (2,5)

Final place among 32: 5

Chances to win the World Cup: 5,7%         

Nigeria

Showing some helpless performance in the first group match against Iran made many pundits think that this World Cup would turn into yet another failure for Nigeria. The second match changed everything. Stephen Keshi’s side demonstrated that it is much better when in the role of a sudden killer. Counterattacking tactics and a well-organized defence, accompanied with an incredibly confident goalkeeper, helped Nigeria win the most important match in the group, and was also close to surprise Argentina. Nigerians are the most tactically aware team of Africa.

The France – Nigeria Play-off encounter will mostly look like that last group match against Argentina. Nigeria is an impossible team to confuse. Even if France scores early in the match, the comeback might come at any point. Vincent Enyeama, the captain and the hero, will not only demonstrate his fabulous saves in this match, but also his knowledge to French football. The Lille goalkeeper is the key, if Nigeria has ever got a chance to beat France.          

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 3 - 3

Topscorer (s): Musa (2)

Team marks: 1,5 + 4 + 4 = 9,5
Average mark: 3,13
Best players: Enyeama, Emenike (both – 2,5)  

Final place among 32: 15-16

Chances to win the World Cup: 1,08%