Football pundit Stevie Nicol has told ESPN that he thought Hugo Lloris looked like a ‘drowned rat’ when preparing for the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final.
As France captain, Lloris had the chance to lift the World Cup for the second time in successive tournaments, but it was Lionel Messi and Argentina who triumphed last Sunday in an enthralling final in Qatar.
The game was level at 2-2 after normal time, and level once more at 3-3 after extra time, which meant the dreaded penalty shootout would decide the winner. Argentina came out on top, with Lloris unable to save any of the four penalties he faced in the shootout.
Lloris took a bit of a beating in the press after the game, with French outlet SoFoot giving a particularly cruel review of the skipper’s display in goal. Meanwhile, his opposite number Emi Martinez was the hero of the night, saving a penalty and causing just enough disruption to put the French players off.
It’s not just the French press who were not impressed with Lloris, though, as Liverpool legend Nicol tore into the 35-year-old.
He said: “There was one thing that I thought Deschamps could have done. I thought instead of, with what five minutes to go, was it Disasi he brought on? Why wouldn’t you bring on Steve Mandanda when it’s going to penalties?
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“You look at Martinez in the Argentina goal, he’s a monster, he is big, his big eyes are staring at you, he is kicking the ball away and he wants to throw it at your nose. He is doing everything.”
On the Frenchman, Nicol said: “Then, you look at Lloris and he looks like a drowned rat standing in the goal. Not only has he never saved a penalty in a penalty shootout, but I read that he came out and said he wasn’t very good at saving penalties.”
Nicol didn’t see the sense in keeping Lloris on the pitch it seems, adding: “So, why are you leaving him in a goal for a penalty shootout?! Get anybody in.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I think this is a bit harsh on Hugo Lloris for a start, as there’s not often a lot goalkeepers can do in a penalty shootout. Also, how often have we seen teams bring on a player for a shootout and it not work out – just look at England in the Euro 2020 final. I don’t think taking Lloris off would have been a good idea.
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