‘Hugo is the Iron Curtain’

BELGIUM star Toby Alderweireld has hailed Tottenham pal Hugo Lloris as the best keeper at the World Cup. And he’s warned Croatia they won’t find France as easy a pushover as England in today’s showpiece final. Croatia penetrated England’s defence twice in their semi-final collision – through Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic – to deny Gareth Southgate’s stars. But Alderweireld is convinced Luka Modric and Co will come up against an Iron Curtain in Lloris (right) in Moscow. He said: “France are very solid at the back, it’s hard to break them down. We had more possession of the ball but the spaces to play were always limited.

“We tried everything we could. And if you do get through there is Hugo.”

Alderweireld is no stranger to Lloris, 31, making great saves in the Premier League and Europe. The 29-year-old Belgian centre-back has played in front of

Lloris for the last three years at Tottenham. But even he was astonished at the top-drawer save Lloris produced to keep out his goalbound shot in the semi-final.

Alderweireld added: “Hugo’s made some very good saves. When I had that shot at him, I thought, ‘This is a goal!’ But he saved it. “That’s one of his best qualities, his reflexes and his positioning.

“He has that ability, for some reason, to know exactly where the ball is coming towards him.

“That kind of ability and intuition gives you great confidence as a defender. He helps you in crucial moments.”