Hugo Lloris Blunder Leads to 2-1 Sweden Win over France in World Cup Qualifying

Sweden scored an upset win over France during Friday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying at the Friends Arena, winning 2-1.

The first half was a dreadful affair, but late goals from Olivier Giroud and Jimmy Durmaz set up the second period.

Both teams had their chances after the break, but the winning goal fell right at the death, as Ola Toivonen took advantage of a horrendous blunder from Hugo Lloris to claim the win.

Sports writer Julien Laurens shared the official team sheet:

Fans who hoped for exciting action or strong duels should have tuned in to a different match on Friday, as the first 20 minutes saw neither. Emil Forsberg tried to force the action for the hosts and France flashed their talent at times, but the ball barely ventured close to either goalkeeper.

Goal's Mohammed Ali turned his attention to the stands, where he spotted an interesting banner:

The battle between Victor Lindelof and Giroud proved entertaining, and the latter would steal the headlines before the break. First, the Arsenal man missed a wide-open chance he usually always takes advantage of, sending a header wide from close range.

While his detractors were preparing their articles filled with criticism, the striker responded within two minutes, blasting a stunning strike with the outside of his boot past goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Sport Witness loved it:

France's advantage was short-lived, however. Six minutes after the goal, the ball fell kindly to Durmaz, who gave Lloris no chance with a low drive.

Goal's Robin Bairner thought the hosts fully deserved the goal:

Seizing momentum, Sweden opened the second half on the front foot. The first real chance of the half fell to Antoine Griezmann, however, as his header was saved by Olsen. Paul Pogba had the stopper beat shortly after, but his shot narrowly went wide.

Ludwig Augustinsson had the ball in the net after a wayward cross, but the flag went up, and the official said the ball had gone out of play. Forsberg forced Lloris into an excellent save with a free-kick as both teams pushed for the lead.

Entering the final minutes, a draw seemed both inevitable and the correct result. But deep into injury time, Lloris came miles off his line before firing a clearance right into the feet of Toivonen, who gladly turned the gift into a long-range goal into the empty net.

B/R Football couldn't help themselves:

The result sees Sweden pass France at the top of the Group A standings courtesy of a superior goal difference. The Netherlands beat Luxembourg 5-0 and now trail Les Bleus by just three points.