France defender Benjamin Pavard hailed Hugo Lloris performance in Les Bleus 2-0 World Cup victory over Uruguay and insists the goalkeeper has the full backing of his team-mates despite media criticism.
Lloris arrived at the World Cup a man under scrutiny following errors in France s warm-up matches and a number of poor performances for Tottenham across the course of the 2017-18 season.
He has since kept two clean sheets from four matches in Russia, including one in France s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Uruguay in which he pulled off one particularly outstanding save from a Martin Caceres header, diving low to his right for a one-handed reaction stop.
And Pavard says the captain has led by example, telling reporters: He is really an exceptional goalkeeper. He has had a great career, he s our captain.
4 – Hugo Lloris has made more saves in the first half against Uruguay (4) than in 10 of his previous 11 full games. Busy.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan)
He is a leader, on and off the field. He gave an outstanding performance [against Uruguay].
Lloris will go head-to-head with his rival at club level, Chelsea s Thibaut Courtois, when France take on Belgium in Tuesday s semi-final.
The match will be Lloris 103rd appearance for France and Pavard has no doubts about the man playing behind him.
We never had doubts about him you [media] doubted him, said the full-back.
We, we trust him. He proves to everyone that he is a great goalkeeper.
