‘8/10’: National media seriously impressed after £7.9m Tottenham man puts in brilliant World Cup performance

By Ben Evans

There will be mixed emotions in the Tottenham Hotspur camp after yesterday’s World Cup quarter-finals.

After Morocco’s shock win against Portugal, Harry Kane’s England took on Hugo Lloris’s France.

The French media reacted to the performance of Tottenham’s captain after the game.

Lloris was in sensational form, keeping England at bay with a number of key saves.

His decade of experience in English football may have helped him, as he’d faced most of the Three Lions attackers before.

He was called into action plenty of times, with France’s defence struggling to stop the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.

However, Lloris’ time at the World Cup will continue, after leading his side to a 2-1 win.

A long-range effort from Aurelien Tchouameni and second-half header from Olivier Giroud decided the game.

Not before Lloris had to face two penalties from Tottenham teammate Kane.

The England forward got the better of him with his first effort.

However, Lloris guessed the right way for the second, before watching Kane’s shot fly over the bar.

Kane may have changed his run-up for his second strike, but Lloris won the battle of the mind games between the two players.

Lloris stars as France advance at the World Cup

A number of French media outlets were very impressed with Lloris’ performance.

FootMercato gave him a 7.5 out of 10 and said: “The French goalkeeper made a number of life-saving interventions in the first half, including one on Shaw’s free kick.

“The Spurs goalkeeper made the perfect save from Bellingham’s shot but could do nothing about Kane’s equaliser from the penalty spot.”

Goal.fr gave Lloris a seven out of 10 and wrote: “It was the first time that a player had been called up to the French national team for a 143rd cap.

“He was called upon to make a number of saves from [Luke] Shaw, Kane, Bellingham and Saka.

“He was caught off guard by Kane’s first penalty, but was more fortunate with the second attempt missed by the English striker.”

He received his best review from Sans Filtre, who gave Lloris’s latest World Cup performance an eight out of 10.

“Big game from Lloris, who was one of the strongest players of this match,” they commented.

“He made two great saves against Kane in the first half and was masterful on Bellingham’s powerful shot in the second half.

“He only managed to concede one of the two penalties taken by England.

“In the air, he was solid in intercepting the opposing crosses, very impressive!”

The £7.9m goalkeeper now has a semi-final against Morocco to prepare for.

His experience makes him an invaluable asset for both Tottenham and France.

He’s now two games away from leading France to back-to-back World Cups, something that’s never been achieved before.