Hugo Lloris has revealed he has been in contact with Harry Kane since his penalty miss against France, and backed his Tottenham team-mate to put his Qatar heartache behind him.
Kane blazed a late penalty over the bar as England crashed out of the World Cup with a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France on Saturday.
France captain and goalkeeper Lloris, however, is confident that Kane will bounce back from the disappointment, like other top players who have missed big penalties.
“We had a text [exchange] after the game, but it was not easy to find the words straight after the game in the changing room,” said Lloris. “I think he needed some rest. It is a difficult time, obviously, for the English national team and for Harry, but I think he can be proud.
“He can be proud of what he has done for the national team during this World Cup. I think in football history, many top players missed penalties, important penalties, in their careers: players like Leo Messi, like Cristiano Ronaldo, like Kylian Mbappe.
“I have no doubt Harry will keep his chin up and help Tottenham and the national team to shine.”
Having beaten England, France next face surprise package Morocco in the semi-finals tomorrow night.
The match will see two of the stars of the tournament come up against each other, with Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi tasked with stopping France star Mbappe.
The pair, who both play their club football for Paris Saint-Germain, will be in the same situation as club-mates Kane and Lloris last Saturday, and the latter has warned that could make the semi-final more challenging for them.
“I think the match is going to take precedence, quite naturally,” said the France captain. “Even though you might be friends off the pitch, if you are involved in a World Cup match, and you are representing your country, then that takes precedence and your competitive spirit takes over. It is also true that it may be more difficult to face a team-mate, because you know each other so well. You may be able to surprise them or maybe not.”
Morocco have stunned everyone to reach the semi-finals and have made history by becoming the first African team, and the first Arab nation, to reach the last four of the World Cup.
They are huge underdogs against holders France but Lloris insists they will not be underestimated. Morocco have huge support here in Qatar, with their run uniting the Arab and African communities.
“Of course there is going to be a hostile environment in the stadium, with a lot of Moroccan fans encouraging them,” said Lloris. “That is going to make a lot of noise, it’s going to be a raucous atmosphere. It is going to be tough to concentrate in that sense.
“We have a great deal of admiration and respect for everything they have achieved. It is no coincidence that they have reached this far. They have beaten Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and they finished first in a very tough group. That tells you they are a quality side.
“Obviously, they have a good team spirit as well off the pitch, so they are going to be a tough opponent. It is going to be quite a hostile atmosphere for us in the stadium, but we are ready for anything. We are remaining calm and focused.”
