France captain Hugo Lloris says his team will give everything to win a successive World Cup despite the virus working its way through their camp, while he also brushed aside the feeling the rest of the football world wants Lionel Messi to finally land the trophy.
The world champions take on Argentina in the final on Sunday at Lusail Stadium, in a match that pits against one another countries seeking a third global title. While France triumphed four years ago, Argentina, the South American champions, have not captured a World Cup since 1986.
However, France have had to deal the past few days an illness within the squad, with several players isolating from staff and teammates. On Friday, defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate missed training, while Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot sat out the semi-final victory against Morocco on Wednesday.
Appearing on Saturday morning at the pre-match press conference in Doha, Lloris said: "I haven't got any more news since last night. Everyone was still in their rooms this morning when I got up for breakfast, so I haven't seen anyone. I'm sure you will get more information by our next training session.
"You are never really prepared for a virus. This was something we weren't necessarily prepared for, but we remain focused and, of course, we're very excited about playing in a World Cup final."
Lloris, now France’s all-time leading appearance-maker, was asked if the virus has in fact provided the squad with another source of motivation heading into Sunday’s showpiece.
France train amid illness
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France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Youssouf Fofana during their training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad stadium in Doha ahead of the World Cup 2022 final against Argentina. AP -
France's Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano and Axel Disasi attend a training session in Doha. AFP -
France's Jordan Vertout, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Jules Kounde and Eduardo Kamavinga train for the World Cup final in Doha. PA -
France's Kylian Mbappe, right, and Marcus Thuram, train in Doha. AP -
France's Olivier Giroud, centre, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during training in Doha. AP -
France's Antoine Griezmann controls the ball during training. AP -
France's Kylian Mbappe during training session in Doha. AP -
France's Kylian Mbappe during training. PA -
France's Benjamin Pavard trains for the World Cup final. PA -
France's forward Kylian Mbappe smiles during a training session. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe trains for Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina. PA
"In the past we have already proved that French teams, that have been successful, have always based that success on a strong team spirit,” the goalkeeper said.
"We try to draw from that. There has been a very good feeling in the camp since the start of the tournament and there is no reason why that shouldn't be seen again tomorrow.
"There is always uncertainty about the outcome, and we're going to try and do our best despite the circumstances. I think the adrenaline and excitement that we'll feel will mean we're all fit enough to do everything we can to win this last battle."
Sunday’s encounter, a repeat of the last-16 tie in 2018 when France prevailed 4-3, has been billed as Messi’s last hurrah on football’s grand stage. The Argentina captain, 35, has been one of the players of the tournament in Qatar, scoring five times – he sits joint top of the charts with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe – and registering three assists.
Following the semi-final win against Croatia on Tuesday, Messi said he expects Sunday to be his final World Cup appearance.
Hugo Lloris lifts the World Cup in Russia
On how he feels about neutrals perhaps wanting Messi to sign off with a winner’s medal, Lloris said: "We have the support of our fans, and we know the French people are behind us. Nothing else really matters.
"We started this World Cup with an objective to go as far as possible, and very few people believed in us at the outset. We are now in the final, four years after our last final, and we're going to pull out all the stops to try and win this game.
"Of course, we know what Lionel Messi means in the history of football. But this is a match between France and, at the end of the day, Argentina.
"There are some very good players in both squads and Argentina are very good competitors. We are looking forward to a great match."
Lloris added: "Over the years Argentina has always produced some world-class players; [Diego] Maradona was a perfect example and now we've got Lionel Messi. They are legends of football.
France v Morocco ratings
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FRANCE RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 8. Saved El Yamiq’s free-kick on 44, stopped Morocco going level. Assured at corners and behind a side missing key players, yet still winning when it matters. Getty -
Theo Hernandez - 9. Put France ahead inside five minutes, waiting for a ball to drop and taking advantage of poor defending. Got into trouble in his own area after 26, winning the ball yet seeing Morocco appeals for a penalty after he followed through. Key challenges to the end. AP -
Ibrahima Konate - 8. In for Obamekami, stretched to make a fine tackle on Hakimi after 41 under a period of Morocco pressure after a very entertaining first half. Blocked a Hakimi shot at the start of the second half. And again as Morocco got behind the France defence. AFP -
Raphael Varane - 8. Distraught when injured at Chelsea in October, a World Cup finalist in December. Near post run saw him shoot wide on 40. AFP -
Jules Kounde - 8. Right back - rather than preferred central role. Performed well. France had won one of six matches coming into the World Cup finals, but they have a chance to retain the title if they win Sunday’s final. Blocked a 93rd minute effort on the line. AP -
Youssouf Fofana - 8. In for Rabiot and performed well. Involved in the build up for the second in front of the 68,294 crowd. PA -
Aurelien Tchouameni - 8. So impressive striding forward, so impressive defending too. All action and more touches than any player on the field. You can see why Real Madrid paid so much for him. AFP -
Ousmane Dembele - 8. Showed his pace in the moments when France attacked. Excellent skill before setting up the second. Getty -
Antoine Griezmann - 9. Always asked for the ball and made runs behind defenders. Wonderful movement as he looked for pockets of opportunities in the space where it can hurt. Defended well, too. Excellent. AP -
Kylian Mbappe - 8. Came close to making it two, then set up the second. Late nutmeg on Amrabat, one of best players in the tournament. Getty -
Olivier Giroud - 8. Took a shot which came out and ultimately led to the first goal. Smashed the post with a shot on 16. Went off – was pushed off by a frustrated Morocco player. Getty -
SUBS: Marcus Thuram - 7. On for Giroud after 65. Like his father, he could be winning the World Cup. EPA -
Randal Kolo Muani - 7. On for Dembele after 78 for just a fourth cap - he played up front in the defeat to Tunisia. He had been on the pitch for seconds and tapped in France’s second to put the game beyond a fine Morocco team. AP -
MOROCCO RATINGS: Yassine Bounou - 6. There was nothing he could have done for either of the goals. Took a blow from Mbappe when collecting Griezmann’s ball through and was confident with the ball at his feet. EPA -
Achraf Hakimi - 7. Was unlucky to see Hernandez score after blocking Mbappe’s shot. Provided a real threat in forward areas, coming close to keeping the ball when he turned in France’s box. Struggled defensively at times in the second period but made a great late recovery to deny Mbappe. Getty -
Achraf Dari - 6. After coming in as a last-minute replacement for Nayef Aguerd, he was unable to keep out Hernandez’s effort after getting back onto the goal line. Made some strong tackles on Mbappe but also dived in too quickly at times. AP -
Romain Saiss - 5. Tried to play through the pain barrier but simply couldn’t, as was made clear when he misjudged the bounce from a long ball forward to allow Giroud to get in behind before going off. Getty -
Jawad El Yamiq - 5. Gambled on winning the ball ahead of Griezmann and paid the price as France scored the opener, then lost possession cheaply in the build-up to the second. He also had good moments as he cleared an Mbappe shot and was unlucky not to score with an overhead kick. AP -
Noussair Mazraoui - 6. Carelessly allowed himself to roam offside to bring a brilliant Moroccan move to a disappointing end and didn’t look completely fit, but he still defended well against Dembele. AP -
Hakim Ziyech - 6. Had a slow start with a wasteful shot, but his influence grew as the first half progressed, with some of his set-piece deliveries causing problems for France. Linked up beautifully with Hakimi at times and tried to make things happen until the end. AFP -
Azzedine Ounahi - 8. Forced Lloris into a good save with a curling shot from range and continued to impress. His deflected shot fell to Hamdallah. Also positioned himself well to regain possession at times. AFP -
Sofyan Amrabat - 8. Provided an all-action performance from the first whistle to the last, while he also played some brilliant passes to spread the play for Morocco. Made an outstanding tackle on Mbappe after it looked like he’d been beaten. Getty -
Sofiane Boufal - 7. Was very confident on the ball under pressure, turning to get away from Tchouameni and slipping the ball through for Ziyech’s chance. Booked for a challenge on Hernandez in the opposition box. Came close to finding En Nesyri with his cross. EPA -
Youssef En Nesyri - 6. Had a frustrating game where chances didn’t quite fall for him despite intelligent runs and impressive pass attempts. An example came when he couldn’t quite reach Boufal’s cross. EPA -
SUBS: Selim Amallah (Saiss, 21’) - 7. Looked bright off the bench and had some massive nearly moments in the first half, with a searching pass coming close to reaching En Nesyri before he was inches away from reaching Ziyech’s free-kick. Did brilliantly to halt Dembele’s run forward. AP -
Yahia Attiyat Allah (Mazraoui, HT) - 6. Hit a wild shot when the ball awkwardly fell to him in the box, but he then got behind Kounde and forced Konate into an impressive intervention. Reuters -
Abderrazak Hamdallah (En Nesyri, 66’) - 5. Tried to do too much when there was an opportunity to shoot after he had done well to break into the box. His touch on Ounahi’s deflected shot was denied by Kounde. AFP -
Zakaria Aboukhlal (Boufal, 67’) - 6. Was bright off the bench and came agonisingly close to reaching Attiyat Allah’s cross moments after coming on. Rose well to reach another cross but couldn’t get enough of a connection to turn the ball goalward. PA -
Abde Ezzalzouli (Amallah, 78’) – N/A. Was unlucky that his block on Mbappe’s shot saw the ball fall to Kolo Muani. His late shot was blocked and he then made a superb run to set up the chance for Hamdallah. EPA
"Everyone will be really looking forward to the final in the Argentina camp, but for France, whoever you play in a World Cup final, it will be a tremendous occasion. And maybe playing Argentina makes that more of an attractive proposition. I sincerely hope this match will go down in history - French history in particular."
Lloris, 35, was captain when France secured the trophy in 2018, when they defeated Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. The Tottenham Hotspur stopper said the experience of Russia will no doubt help his players on Sunday, but warned a “totally different” final awaits them.
"We are looking forward to making the history books in our own way: our players and our staff,” Lloris said. “We've already achieved a great deal in this tournament, but we're looking forward to going further.
"I was privileged enough to win the trophy in 2018. I am very proud of that. But, to be honest, I am focusing on the present now. What happened in the past belongs to the past. We are looking forward to writing our own history and creating our own story and we want to finish this tournament as well as we possibly can.
"Of course, it is going to be the most difficult match in the tournament. It is the final, that goes without saying. We are going to have to be ready for any scenario.
"We are going to be ready to show great solidarity and graft. In spite of all the games, and the tiredness, and the virus that has been going through the camp, we are going to have to finish the job as well as we can."
