Tottenham and France captain Hugo Lloris has sympathised with club teammate Harry Kane after his crucial penalty miss in England’s World Cup exit.
Kane scored one penalty in the defeat to Les Bleus on Saturday evening but missed a second, firing well over the crossbar while the Three Lions were one goal down in the dying embers of the game.
Lloris was in goal for France as per and put in a brilliant performance, making key saves to deny Kane as well as Jude Bellingham.
Speaking after the game to the press, Lloris took the time to praise Kane for taking on the responsibility of such an important penalty kick:
“There were a lot of emotions out there because we were in the middle of a battle and at the end we were all very happy. But on a personal level, I am also saddened because Harry is a teammate, a man whom I respect enormously and someone who took responsibility in a crucial moment of the game.
“It was a turning point of the match and I can only share this moment of pain with him. But I know that Harry is strong and that this hurt will pass for him.”
As well as discussing Kane’s penalty, Lloris took the time to praise England’s performance in the quarter-final clash:
“It was a difficult match against a very, very good English team who deserve a lot of praise because it was a great battle right to the end. I was much more involved in this game than in any other match at this tournament, but that was only what we expected against these opponents.
“I cannot hide the fact that it was a special evening for me to make my 143rd appearance for my country against the English, a country in which I have been playing for ten years.
“This England team is very strong, their midfield created a lot of space, they were hard-hitting in attack and they have a number nine who is among the best in the world. But we stayed strong in the storm, we were solid in the important moments and we hurt them when necessary. It was a great reward for all our preparation for this match and we have to congratulate everyone for all their hard work.