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. 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. James Milner Liverpool Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers isnt out for revenge in Green Bays season opener. Caoimhin Kelleher Liverpool Jersey . Giants manager Bruce Bochy told The Associated Press of the decision before NL West-leading San Francisco opened a 10-game homestand Monday night with the first of three games against second-place Arizona. http://www.liverpoolgear.us/Authentic-Di...ool-Jersey/.com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April. Nathaniel Clyne Liverpool Jersey .Cullen scored the go-ahead goal at 13:47 of the third period and Nashville beat the slumping Dallas Stars 3-2 on Thursday in a game that wasnt decided until the last shot of the night. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Jersey . Setting United on its way to a 2-0 victory, Rooney sent the ball high from inside the halfway line over goalkeeper Adrian after just seven minutes. "Its just instinct, Ive turned and had a quick look and seen the goalkeeper off his line," Rooney said. HOUSTON -- Oakland rookie Matt McGloin was so good in a victory over the Houston Texans that it raised questions about whether Terrelle Pryor will get his job back when hes healthy. The undrafted free agent threw three touchdown passes in his first NFL start and the Raiders extended Houstons franchise-record skid to eight games with a 28-23 victory on Sunday in coach Gary Kubiaks return from a mini-stroke. Oakland coach Dennis Allen evaded the question when asked if McGloin would remain the starter when Pryor has recovered from a knee injury. "Listen, heres what Im going to do -- Im going to enjoy this win, all right," Allen said. "Were going to go back and well evaluate. But he definitely did a very good job today." McGloin was 18 of 32 for 197 yards. Houstons Case Keenum, also an undrafted free agent, was benched after Houstons offence stalled in the third quarter. McGloin threw touchdown passes of 5, 16 and 26 yards to help the Raiders score their most points of the season. "There is always more to prove and more to do," McGloin said. "I think I got off to a good start, but we will see." Kubiak wasnt on the sidelines, instead coaching upstairs from the booth on doctors orders two weeks after collapsing at halftime of Houstons game against Indianapolis. He benched Keenum for Matt Schaub with Houston trailing by 11 points. Houston cut the lead with two field goals in the fourth quarter and had a chance to take the lead late. But Schaubs pass to Andre Johnson on fourth down from the 8 was broken up in the end zone. Johnson and Schaub were yelling at each other on the field after the play and the screaming match continued on the sidelines, a clear indication of the frustration on a disappointing team that was supposed to contend for a Super Bowl. Johnson said the argument came because the receiver "messed up" and didnt finish the play. "We just exchanged some words," he said. "Its just heat of the moment. Once we came in the locker room, we talked about it, left it alone so Im not worried about that. Me and Matt have played a lot of football together." Schaub also brushed off their disagreement. "Its just emotions, emotions of the game, a culmination of a lot of things, but stuff well keep between us," Schaub said. Kubiak replaced Keenum with Schaub after Houstons first three drives of the second half all ended in puntss.dddddddddddd Schaub was terrible early this season and hadnt played since Oct. 13, after he was benched following an injury. Keenum threw for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Schaub had 155 yards passing. Kubiak wouldnt say who would start next week. Houston punted on Schaubs first drive before settling for a 26-yard field goal on the second when the offence stalled after getting a first down at the 10. A 30-yard field goal cut the lead to 28-23 with about eight minutes remaining. Rashad Jennings, who was filling in for the injured Darren McFadden, extended Oaklands lead to 28-17 when he plowed over D.J. Swearinger and rumbled 80 yards for a touchdown with 2:26 left in the third quarter. It was the longest run of his career and he finished with 150 yards rushing. The Raiders regained the lead when Mychal Rivera grabbed a 26-yard touchdown reception to make it 21-17 in the third quarter. Keenum scrambled to escape the grasp of Lamarr Houston and launched a 42-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Graham to cut the lead to 14-7 early in the second quarter. Houston tied it at 14 when Keshawn Martin let a punt bounce off the grass and his chest before scooping it up and dashing 87 yards for a touchdown about three minutes before halftime. It was the longest punt return for a score in franchise history. Randy Bullock made his first field goal of 50 or more yards with a 51-yarder to give Houston a 17-14 lead just before halftime. Graham had the ball stripped by Charles Woodson and fumbled after a catch on Houstons first drive. Phillip Adams recovered it and 26 yards. McGloins first career touchdown came when he hit Denarius Moore on a 5-yard slant to put Oakland up 7-0. Houstons second miscue came when Keenum threw his first career interception as he was being hit by Stacy McGee. It broke a streak of 105 pass attempts without an interception for Keenum. The Raiders immediately took advantage of the error when McGloin connected with Rod Streater for a 16-yard touchdown on the next play to make it 14-0. NOTES: Former Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush were on the field before the game and the younger Bush did the coin flip. ... McGloin is the 17th quarterback to start for the Raiders since the start of the 2003 season. ... Oakland defensive tackle Daniel Muir and right guard Mike Brisiel both sustained knee injuries and Allen said hell know more after they have MRIs. ' ' '