Did France’s starting goalkeeper want to play in the final, meaningless group game against Denmark? Or would he let Steve Mandanda start?
So when he was confronted with the choice, Lloris sat, allowing Mandanda to play in Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Denmark, giving him a shutout in his World Cup debut.
“He deserved it,” Deschamps said. “It may be difficult for him to be in another World Cup since he’s 33.
Mandanda, a Congo native and the oldest French player to make a World Cup debut, wasn’t tested often, facing just five shots, only one of which resulted in a save.