Matuidi hails ´great´ Lloris

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi has hailed France team-mate Hugo Lloris as a ‘great goalkeeper’.

France gained a deserved 1-1 draw against Spain in their Group I World Cup qualifying match in Madrid with the 25-year-old making a fine stop to deny Cesc Fabregas from the penalty spot before Olivier Giroud headed home late on to snatch a point.

Despite the goalkeeper struggling to get into Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham side ahead of Brad Friedel, Matuidi was full of praise for the talented former Lyon number one.

“We have a great goalkeeper. (Lloris) should be recognised at the global level because he deserves to be,” he told reporters.

After saving Fabregas’ spot-kick, Lloris also made a superb double stop to deny the former Arsenal star and his Barcelona team-mate Pedro before the break, playing a big part in ensuring France shared the points with their hosts.

And Matuidi was delighted with the result against the world and European champions, highlighting it as the best of his career.

“Everybody saw us losing in Spain,” he said. “But we showed that you can rely on us. There are a lot of qualities in this team – solidarity, state of mind and talent.”

The result leaves Spain and France tied on seven points after three games in Group I, with Vicente Del Bosque’s side on top on goal difference.