After flashes of magnificent football in the group phase, France will look to confirm their World Cup credentials in Monday’s last-16 tie against Nigeria.
In previous World Cups, France have always reached at least the semi-finals after qualifying from the group phase, but circumspection has become the order of the day in the French camp this week.
While Didier Deschamps’s side garnered plaudits by sweeping past Honduras 3-0 and crushing Switzerland 5-2, a much-changed team could only draw 0-0 in their final Group E fixture against Ecuador on Wednesday.
Both Bacary Sagna and Morgan Schneiderlin suggested that France were potential champions after the stalemate at the Maracana, but centre-back Laurent Koscielny has since introduced a note of caution as Les Bleus prepare for Monday’s game in Brasilia.
Nigeria’s preparations for the game were disrupted by a dispute over bonuses -- an issue which delayed the squad’s arrival at last year’s Confederations Cup -- but the matter was resolved following the reported intervention of Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.
Chelsea forward Victor Moses missed the Argentina game due to a muscular complaint, but he trained with the squad in Brasilia on Saturday.