LIVE - France 0, Nigeria 0: No goals despite end-to-end action in opening half

France and Nigeria both looked threatening at times in the opening half, but neither side was able to find the breakthrough and we head into the locker room the same way we came out of it 45 minutes ago.

The Super Eagles came closest to breaking the deadlock, as Emmanuel Emenike actually had the ball in the net after poking a cross from Ahmed Musa beyond the outstretched arm of Hugo Lloris in the 19th minute.

But as he wheeled away in celebration, he turned to see the linesman's flag raised. It was the correct call, judging by the replay.

Nigeria saw more of the ball than was expected in the opening half, but France did look dangerous on multiple occasions, despite only really testing goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama once.

Paul Pogba was the main attacking outlet for Les Bleus, finding himself on the ball more so than any other player on the pitch. While he always looked menacing striding forward with the ball at his feet, his decision-making and final ball left something to be desired.

He did, however, force the best save of the half from Vincent Enyeama, connecting with a volley from just inside the area that the Nigerian goalkeeper acrobatically palmed aside.

The opportunity came from a John Obi Mikel error, as the midfielder was dispossessed inside his own half - not for the first time in the contest. Indeed, Nigeria ceded possession far too easily on their own side of the pitch, but France were unable to take advantage.

That said, Stephen Keshi will obviously be hoping his team doesn't make a habit of that going into the second half.

First half, by the numbers