France v Nigeria: Karim Benzema's transformation a boon for Les Bleus
Booed off the pitch less than a year ago, Real Madrid striker is now the toast of the nation
When France striker Karim Benzema was hauled off in the 83rd minute of their 1-0 qualifying defeat at home by Spain in March last year he was sent packing with a cacophony of boos.
The fans' angry reaction at the Stade de France to yet another limp performance from the Real Madrid forward seemed even harsher eight minutes later when they gave Spain playmaker Andres Iniesta a rousing ovation as he was substituted.
Karim is one of the top players on the global stage. He is performing at an extremely high level and he is the one who makes us play
Fast forward to now and Benzema is the toast of the Gallic nation, with three goals in as many games and man-of-the-match performances in the wins over Honduras and Switzerland.
He has earned effusive praise from coach Didier Deschamps and his teammates, and France will need the 26-year-old to maintain his form if they are to beat Nigeria in Monday's last-16 clash in Brasilia and set up a quarter-final with Germany or Algeria.
Benzema came into the World Cup following a fine season with Real when he netted 24 goals in 52 games in all competitions and helped the world's richest club by income to win a 10th Champions League crown and the King's Cup.
He has put a scoring drought for Les Bleus behind him that stretched for more than 1,200 minutes, leading to him temporarily losing his place in the national team, and looks fit and hungry for success.