The French were strong favourites to become European Champions on their home turf when they faced Portugal in Paris in the final of Euro 2016, but it did not turn out that way as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side upset the odds to win.

As a consequence, Lloris says this current crop of Frenchmen are taking nothing for granted, and are ‘selfish’ in their focus on themselves and nothing else ahead of Sunday’s final.

Speaking after Samuel Umtiti’s goal beat Belgium and sent France through to their third World Cup final in the past 20 years, Lloris says he and his team-mates are doing their best to remain grounded.

It’s an amazing feeling but we lost the final two years ago and that’s why we try to keep our feet on the ground.“It’s important to keep believing because the belief is strong in our team. But there is still one game to play and it will be the most important of our careers.

Didier Deschamps has overhauled the side that lost the final, and the back four in front of Lloris have an average age of 23, and with teenage tyro Kylain Mbappe in attack, France have a great blend of youth and experience.

“Most of our players were not at the Euros,” added Lloris. “There was a lot of change between the competitions. Of the players who were involved, we can use our own experience to show the right way to the young lads.”

Mbappe is already being talked about as a superstar, even at 19, after his record-breaking transfer to Paris St Germain last year. But the world’s most expensive teenager has lived up to the hype and is now in the final. Yet Lloris insists it is a team effort that has got France this far.

“I think we are complete as a team. We can play in different ways but the most important thing is that all the players are involved to help the team.

Everybody has to work for the team, try to run for the team and try to do his best.

“We have plenty of talented players but it’s the same for all the teams involved, like England. The mental side is very important and if you want success in the competition you need strong basics, especially defensively. When you defend well you have more chance to win games.”

Matuidi’s winner came after Raphael Varane’s headed goal in the quarter-final against Uruguay, and Lloris says his team-mates are invaluable at both ends of the pitch.

The fact that they score goals puts even more credit on their performance. Defensively they are fantastic and they can make the difference on set-pieces, so it’s a big help for the team. Hopefully we’ll do the same in the final.

And although Belgium complained about the ‘safety-first’ approach from Deschamps so far, Lloris has nothing but praise for the coach, who was criticised before the tournament.

“The manager deserves a lot of credit. Against Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium, his plan was perfect. We can adapt the way we play against our opponents and this is to his credit,” said Lloris.

“The players do our best on the field and try to respect what the manager says. Then we have the talent, the belief, the spirit to turn the game in the way we want. The most important game in our career is ahead of us.”