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Wendie Renard went from bad guy to hero in the space of two minutes, scoring his new penalty after a double VAR check to ensure France to qualify for the last 16 teams ahead of group A.
At sunset, the local team received the most eloquent reception of the tournament. The ultra-Rennes – known for their flares, their flags, their coordinated parties, their drums and their constant songs – were in force for Les Bleues, a strong and constant presence at their usual home of the Mordelles Tribune.
France, however, worked early against a team that created a three-point surprise from the end of the match in South Korea's 2-0 defeat. The four changes made to the French starting lineup – especially Lyon strikers Eugénie Le Sommer and Kadidiatou Diani – have clearly disrupted their pace.
The African teams only twice defeated the European opposition at this tournament – there were 15 defeats and two draws – and the host country never lost their last group match, the probability of an annoyance was thin.
The French goalkeeper, Sarah Bouhaddi, was noticed from the start of the game but Desire Oparanozie could not connect enough under the pressure of two French defenders who almost managed to fumble.
From there, the pressure was all France. Delphine Cascarino was by far their best outlet on the right, causing problems on the left-back, Ngozi Ebere, who finally raised the yellow for having eliminated the 22-year-old, but without Diani and Le Sommer, and Valérie Gauvin at rest, Cascarino was forced to engage in turns instead of throwing bullets into more dangerous areas.
The kicks were more promising with the height of Renard and Griedge Mbock getting up to give the green and white central records more disturbing. Neither team had a shot in the first half – the second match of the tournament did, the stalemate between Argentina and Japan. A volley volley from Amandine Henry's post is perhaps the best half-dull attempt.
The performances of the French players in the hope of playing the last stages of the competition were lacking, the attacker Viviane Asseyi of Bordeaux and the attacker Charlotte Bilbault of Paris FC being particularly anonymous.
As the teams exited the tunnel, the lights of the mobile phones were held in the air, hoping to elicit a more electric response on the ground.
France sought to match its decisive progress against Norway. Gaëtane Thiney's free kick was at Renard's head, but she could not direct it. The game of France made more sense. Amal Majri and Asseyi were looking to equalize their attack on the left, but the last run was missing to the final ball, short pbades are drawn with ease by the organized Nigerian back line – a lack of understanding with his obvious teammates.
France should have taken the advantage when, without any pressure, Thiney opened the scoring following a Cascarino free kick. In order to restore perhaps a little fluidity, Diani and Le Sommer came to scream with joy.
Asseyi now in place of Cascarino, she seemed instantly better for the move. A charming little cross missed by a thiney in full race.
The changes to the training suggest that Corinne Deacon may have underestimated her opposition. It's a much better prepared Super Falcons team than the one that had not played in a match between the 2016 and April 2016 African Cup of Nations. Quality players have often had quality players to escape the serious problems of underfunding, but now under Thomas Dennerby, they look more professional and it shows up here.
It is a moment of madness that has wiped out all Nigerian hopes. Ebere, from behind, knocked out rejuvenated Asseyi and strengthened Renard to kick him after a break, to consult the dealer. His jerky run and tame efforts marked the post, but after another VAR check, Chiamaka Nnadozie was presumed to be away from his line before the ball was touched and Renard attempted his redemption.
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