World Cup: Hugo Lloris is hailed as ‘impeccable’ in L’Equipe’s ratings for France against Morocco

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was hailed as ‘impeccable’ by L’Equipe after his impressive display in Les Bleus’ 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup semi-final after he helped ensure the North African side could not spring an epic shock. 

Didier Deschamps’ men are in the final after seeing off the tournament surprise pacakge to book a showdown with Argentina on Sunday – and it was Lloris who was given the highest praise by the French outlet’s usually stern ratings.

The Tottenham man followed up a superb display against England in the quarter-finals by keeping out an acrobatic effort from El Yamiq before later thwarting Azzedine Ounahi to keep a clean sheet. 

Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann were both given high praise by L’Equipe after their 2-0 World Cup semi-final win against Morocco

L’Equipe were left raving about his display as he earned the highest score on the team of eight. 

‘An impeccable overall performance,’ the publication said. ‘He has a good eye and a bit of luck on El Yamiq’s scissor that he comes to accompany on his post (44th). He had already been present with a [save] on a curled strike from Ounahi (10th). 

‘Two good aerial [claims] when the French defense was beginning to suffer. Still sure in the hot Moroccan moments to [let France] breathe (67th). Very clean on all his balls.’

Lloris earned his second straight eight from L’Equipe following his top saves against England’s Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in the last round. 

The Tottenham goalkeeper made a handful of top saves to keep Morocco from making a shock – with L’Equipe calling him ‘impeccable’

Griezmann put in a commanding display against Morocco and was hailed for his ‘courage’

Antoine Griezmann was also singled out for praise in the game for showing ‘courage’ and ‘commitment – but can feel unlucky to only get a seven following a tremendous display – after playing a key role in the opening goal from Theo Hernandez.

Griezmann started the move that led to the early strike as he bombed down the right flank before playing the ball across to Kylian Mbappe – before Hernandez bundled the ball home. 

‘What commitment, what courage and what importance!’ they wrote. ‘His slightly more advanced position initially gave him a little more freedom of movement without the ball. 

‘The Frenchman was behind the goal of Hernandez (5th). Back down in this hybrid role after the break, he especially stood out by saving several dangerous balls in his own area.’

However, while Olivier Giroud has been superb all tournament, he failed to have too much of an impact against Morocco and L’Equipe were less than impressed with his finishing – handing him a four out of 10.

Olivier Giroud was handed a four after missing ‘two golden chances’ to score vs Morocco

With all the talk about the possibility of Karim Benzema returning from injury for the final, Giroud did not cover himself in glory as he failed to get on the scoresheet – and the French outlet were critical of him for missing ‘two golden chances’ and said his replacement Marcus Thuram was more effective.

‘An insufficient match because he had two golden chances and he missed them both,’ they wrote. ‘The first by hitting hard on the post (17th) and the second when he seemed to have plenty of time to control (36th). 

‘A little frustrating technically and not always sovereign of the head. Not happy to go [off]. Replaced by Marcus Thuram (65th), who brought a lot because he defended on the left side. And he brought offensively by being in all the right moves (71st, 74th) and on the second goal (79th).’ 

Another player who was given a four was Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele – with L’Equipe claiming he had to ‘sacrifice’ his attacking efforts to make ‘defensive withdrawals’ – saying he made ‘zero’ offensive contributions.

Mbappe, meanwhile, scored a five after he ‘never made the effort to defend’ or ‘cut Morocco’s passing lines’. They also claimed he had a ‘bit of luck’ to see his deflected shot roll into the path of Hernandez for the opener.