There was little to choose between France and Nigeria in the opening half of this afternoon's World Cup last-16 tie and it remains goalless in Brasilia.

There were few clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes and Nigeria surprisingly controlled possession, with France at their most dangerous on the counter-attack.

The African side thought that they had taken the lead in the 19th minute when Ahmed Musa's low cross was prodded home at the near post by Emmanuel Emenike, but the flag rightly went up for offside.

Minutes later France had their clearest opening of the early stages through Paul Pogba, who charged upfield, fed Mathieu Valbuena on the wing and then pinged a volley goalwards that was beaten out by Vincent Enyeama.

France started to have more of the ball as the half came to a close, almost breaking the deadlock five minutes before the interval when Mathieu Debuchy blazed wide from just inside the box.

Just before the break, Emenike stung the palms of Hugo Lloris with a fierce strike from a tight angle.

Find out how the second half unfolds with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates here.