'Cruel' loss for Lloris after World Cup final 'boxing match'

France captain Hugo Lloris admitted Sunday's World Cup final defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina was "cruel" and likened the pulsating showpiece to a "boxing match".

Argentina triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the final in Doha ended 3-3 in extra time.

"It was like a boxing match, we went blow for blow," said goalkeeper Lloris who hailed his side after the defending champions had been 2-0 down with just 10 minutes left in normal time before Kylian Mbappe scored twice in quick succession.

"We didn't give up. We needed a winner and it was decided on penalties. That's always cruel. We are empty."

Lloris was beaten by all four Argentine penalties in the shootout, including one from Messi who had already scored twice in the game.

"We could have let it slip at 2-0 but we continued to believe that we could turn the game around," added Lloris, who will turn 36 later this month.

"We must congratulate Argentina who played a great tournament and a great final."