France and Nigeria head into halftime level at 0-0 in 2nd round of World Cup

France's Mathieu Valbuena, right, slides in to kick the ball away from Nigeria's Ahmed Musa during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

France's Mathieu Debuchy, left, and Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike challenge for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (The Associated Press)

BRASILIA, Brazil – France and Nigeria were level at 0-0 at halftime in the second round of the World Cup on Monday, with the African champions having a goal ruled out for offside.

Emmanuel Emenike poked home Ahmed Musa's cross from the left in the 19th minute, but the forward had strayed just ahead of center half Raphael Varane.

Shortly after, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a smart save to keep out Paul Pogba's firm shot from just inside the penalty area, after winger Mathieu Valbuena had crossed from the right on a quick counterattack.

France is looking to make the quarterfinal stage for the first time since 2006, and Nigeria is looking to make the last eight for the first time at the World Cup.