The Finalists’ Keepers: Lloris v Subasic
While the headlines will be dominated by outfield stars suchasKylianMbappeandLuka Modric, France and Croatia can thank their goalkeepers for their spotsintheupcomingFIFAWorld Cup Final. Both Hugo Lloris and Danijel Subasic have been in top form for their respective sides, producing a steady supply of miraculous saves and penalty heroics respectively en route to today’s decider.
What he brings to France: Hugo Lloris has brought France consistency in a position where that was most definitely required. He became the team’s No1 as far back as 2009 and has accrued vast experience in the near- decade since. Against Belgium, he made his 103rd appearance for Les Bleus, which is a notable milestone as he equalled coach Didier Deschamps’ final caps haul having already become the most-capped keeper in France’s history.
At 31, he is in his goalkeeping prime and, as we have seen during this World Cup, there is no sign of his skill level dropping or his reflexes slowing. But Lloris’ importance isn’t merely as a good goalkeeper. He is a confidant of Deschamps and also holds the record for most appearances as France captain (79).
Lloris is one of the true heroes of Les Bleus’ Russia 2018 campaign thus far. His saves have proved crucial in securing the team vital results in matches against Peru, Uruguay and Belgium.” Best save at Russia 2018 “There have been a few but the best came in the Round of 16 against against Uruguay, a few minutes before the end of the first half. The game was tense andFrancehadonlyrecentlygone 1-0 up. Martin Caceres ran past Paul Pogba and rose higher than everyone to bullet in a powerful header. It looked certain to hit the net but Lloris produced an amazinghorizontalleaptoclawitaway. Afterthematch, Deschampssaid: “It’snotasave- it’salmostagoal!”
What he brings to Croatia: Danijel Subasic is having a very strong World Cup. Croatia conceded just a single goal in their first three games as they cruised to the top of a very tough Group D, and Subasic played no small role in that achievement. Penalty shootouts are another story. Croatia won their Round of 16 game against Denmark 3-2 on penalties and then 4-3 via the same method against Russia in thequarter-finals.Subasicbecame just the second goalkeeper to save fourormorespot-kicksinaWorld Cup penalty shoot-out and has establishedhimselfasarealexpert in that respect.
BestsaveatRussia2018: Subasic showed his versatility when he savedthreepenaltiesagainstDenmark. He tipped the first penalty during that shootout from DenmarkmidfielderChristianEriksen on to the post. He then dived to his right to save an attempt from substitute Lasse Schone. Finally, he used his feet to block Nicolai Jorgensen’s attempt. But Subasic was injured during the shootout against Russia and perhaps his save against Fedor Smolov is the mostfamous. ItwasabizarrehalfPanenka attempt by the Russian, who tried to get Subasic to dive beforechippingdownthemiddle. But Smolov failed to direct his effort in the centre of goal, and Subasic adjusted his dive to make the save.