Tottenham vs Barcelona: What on earth was Hugo Lloris thinking for Philippe Coutinho’s goal?

Barcelona broke the deadlock against Tottenham inside two minutes on Wednesday thanks to what can only be described as a howler from Hugo Lloris.

The Tottenham goalkeeper was returning to the side for his first game since August after recovering from a thigh injury – but many of the club’s fans must have been left wishing third-choice Paulo Gazzaniga had been retained instead.

As Lionel Messi fired the ball forwards, Lloris came rushing from his goal in an attempt to close down Jordi Alba, but the Barça full-back got to the ball in ample time and squared the ball to Philippe Coutinho for a simple finish into an empty net.

Watch the goal

That didn’t take long!

Philippe Coutinho puts Barcelona ahead inside just two minutes at Wembley…

That ball from Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/DvYOtwzpSP

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 3, 2018

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“The finish was brilliant from the Brazilian, the initial through ball from Messi quite sublime,” said BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher. “Tottenham nil, Barcelona one and the worst possible start for Spurs at Wembley.”

Indeed, it was an awful start for Spurs and one Lloris would like to forget. The criticism was quick to flow the Frenchman’s way.

“I’m not sure what he’s thinking there,” said former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas. “He’s not getting anywhere near the ball and hes’s made it easy for Coutinho.”

Fans were equally dumbfounded. “Well, that’s how NOT to start a game against Barcelona, where on earth is Lloris going, to the shop?” asked one on Twitter.

“That’s an absolutely appalling decision from Hugo Lloris!,” said another.

Glenn Hoddle, the former Spurs and England midfielder, was slightly more sympathetic.

“He’s been out of the team and he feels like he’s got to make an impact. If he’d been in for five or six games in a row he wouldn’t have made that decision,” he said.