Football: World Cup: The Global Game

"General Abdulsalam Abubakar [the successor to General Sani Abacha, who died last week, as Nigeria's military ruler] declared that the team's performance had given the nation the much needed hope in this period of national grief." "The Daily Times", a government-owned Lagos newspaper, on Nigeria's 3-2 win over Spain.

"Despised for their lacklustre performance in pre-World Cup friendlies, the Eagles soared with a renewed spirit to upset the formbook." "The Guardian", an independent Nigerian newspaper

"Our world has collapsed." "Marca", Spanish newspaper

"Our illusions were swept away by Nigeria." "El Periodico de Catalonia", Spain

Compiled by Rupert Metcalf and Elizabeth Nash