Didier Deschamps refused to blame Hugo Lloris for his error that handed Sweden a crucial victory over France in World Cup qualifying on Friday.
With only seconds remaining and the scored tied 1-1, Lloris came well outside of his box to clear a ball rolling his way, taking an extra touch while under pressure before scuffing his left-footed kick to Ola Toivonen near the halfway line, where the Sweden midfielder first-timed a lofted ball into the vacant net.
The resulting defeat saw France lose their place to the Swedes atop Group A due to goal difference, however Les Bleus boss Deschamps was in no mood to reprimand the Tottenham No. 1 after the match.
"I am not going to condemn Hugo," Deschamps told TF1. "He has often been decisive with us.
"He preferred to control the ball. If he clears the ball far and away, there is no way it comes back. But he knows that. He knows it is his fault and it cost us.
"He is a keeper who made a mistake and it is noticed more than an outfield player. It is unfortunate for him and for the whole team. The players were extremely dejected, Hugo most of all. Losing always hurts and under these circumstances it hurts more."
The loss complicates qualification for France, who are in a difficult group which includes the Netherlands, who sit three points back in third place, and Bulgaria, who are fourth with nine.
Deschamps added: "It is a catastrophic scenario. If we didn't win this game, we should have got a draw. With the result level, we should have slogged through to the end.
"A draw would not have been ideal but it was a good point. We could have kept Sweden behind us, but that is no longer the case. I would have preferred a different outcome, a positive one, that would have allowed us to stay in first place.
"We still have four games -- 12 points to play for -- and we are going to have to battle hard to reach our goal.
"The match against Netherlands at Stade de France on August 31 was always going to be important. Now it will be even more so."
France are next in action on Tuesday, when they'll play a home friendly against England.