'They were lions' - captain Godin lauds Uruguay players in defeat

Uruguay captain Diego Godin says his team-mates were 'lions' after reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals but falling 2-0 to France, and also said goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's error for the second goal should be forgiven.

Captain Diego Godin and his team-mates acknowledge Uruguay's fans after losing to France Source: Getty Images

"I'm proud of my team-mates - they were lions," Godin said, as he and his fellow Uruguay players came off the pitch in tears.

"We are a team where everyone gives everything in the matches and in preparation. I have only words of gratitude for my team-mates," he added, as Uruguay's noisy fans cheered them off at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium despite the defeat.

France won with a Raphael Varane glancing header in the first half and a goalkeeping fumble in the second that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal. Griezmann shot from outside the box straight at Muslera, who attempted to palm the ball away but instead deflected it into the net.

"Fernando is a great goalkeeper ... We all make mistakes," Godin said. "On other occasions he has rescued us with incredible saves."

Uruguay suffered without striker Edinson Cavani, who was ruled out with a calf injury.

France's win set up a semi-final against Belgium.