France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has issued an apology to Nigeria's Ogenyi Onazi after injuring the Lazio man during his country's 2-0 win over the Africans in the World Cup.

The Paris Saint-Germain player was quick to admit after the game that he mistimed his tackle, but insists he did not set out to hurt Onazi.

"I'm sorry," he told reporters. "I've not gone in to hurt him; I'm disappointed because I'm not a dirty player.

"I went into the [Nigeria] dressing room afterwards to apologise."

A Paul Pogba strike and an own goal from Joseph Yobo fired France into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Germany.

Written by
Mark Langshaw