It is no slight on Portugal's Rui Patricio, whose save from Jakub Blaszczykowski in their quarterfinal against Poland was decisive, but Lloris' inclusion is virtually a given. He began Euro 2016 with a superb point-blank stop from Romania's Bogdan Stancu and has continued in a similar vein, denying the Germans on a number of occasions during Thursday's semifinal. His late display of reflexes to repel a Joshua Kimmich header was stunning.
Right-back: Bacary Sagna, France
One half of France's veteran full-back pair, Sagna shows little sign of slowing up and there have been few better right-backs in this competition. He was fortunate not to concede a late penalty in the group stage match with Switzerland but has otherwise been his hugely reliable self, giving little away at the back and supporting attacks intelligently. It is hard to believe that the Manchester City man turns 34 next year.
Left-back: Raphael Guerreiro, Portugal
This is a dead heat with France's evergreen Patrice Evra, who has enjoyed a fine tournament, but Guerreiro has a glittering career ahead of him and takes the spot. The 22-year-old signed for Borussia Dortmund during the tournament, and the technical, high-energy style he has shown in his four starts during the past month should suit the Bundesliga well. Guerreiro, whose father is Portuguese and mother French, was born and raised a stone's throw from Stade de France; the final will be the kind of homecoming he probably never expected.
Centre-back: Pepe, Portugal
Master of the dark arts he may be, but Pepe has stood out for his defensive work in the Euros, anchoring a team that has generally given little away. His performance in the last eight, when he was outstanding against Poland, was one of the best centre-back displays of the summer, but a thigh injury ruled him out of the semifinal and his participation on Sunday is not yet certain. His presence is likely to be more important for the final than it was against Wales.
Centre-back: Laurent Koscielny, France
A couple more games and Koscielny's place in this XI might have been usurped by Samuel Umtiti, who has partnered him in the past two rounds and who was outstanding against Germany. But Koscielny was on song that night too and his consistency has been a theme in France's tournament. At 30, he is very much a senior player in the side now and is leading by example from the back.
Central midfield: N'Golo Kante, France
It seems strange to say Kante was missed during France's win over Germany, when he only appeared from the bench a minute before Antoine Griezmann's second goal, but their midfield is much easier to pick apart when the Leicester man is missing. Kante had been a crucial binding force prior to the suspension he picked up against Ireland and whether to restore him to the starting XI for the final or keep the impressive Moussa Sissoko will be one of the biggest calls Didier Deschamps has to make.
Central midfield: Renato Sanches, Portugal
The 18-year-old's impact has been eye-catching for a player who has only started twice. He has added an extra gear to Portugal's midfield, and his acceleration and willingness to take the ball on has enlivened a team that lacked explosiveness behind its attackers. Sanches' goal and overall performance against Poland were superb, and his versatility, playing in both right-sided and central positions, is an asset too.
Attacking midfield: Dimitri Payet, France
He was quiet in the semifinal win, but Payet has been one of the summer's big success stories for France, from the searing late winner that got them up and running against Romania to the accurate effort that helped dispose of Iceland in the quarterfinals. Payet had not been a regular in the French team until early this year, but his performances have made him virtually indispensable and his set-piece prowess adds another useful string to his bow.
All of a sudden, Nani is hot property again. Generally playing in a more central attacking role than usual -- but stationed on the left for the purposes of this selection -- the forward has come up with some crucial interventions, getting Portugal off the mark against Iceland and drawing them level for the first time against Hungary in the groups before finishing instinctively to see off Wales in the semis. He has proved remarkably proficient in the air, getting on the end of numerous crosses, and seems a player reborn -- as his new club Valencia may learn next season.
Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
It has been a strange tournament for Ronaldo, who has had some glaring off-days but cannot be left out of this XI after coming good when it mattered. His towering header broke Wales' resistance in the last four but the brace he produced when Portugal were teetering on the edge of group stage elimination against Hungary -- including a backheel that was one of the goals of the tournament -- was arguably even more important. The penalty miss in the 0-0 draw against Austria and succession of miscues against Poland do not seem as consequential now.
Centre forward: Antoine Griezmann, France
Never mind this combined side -- Griezmann would be in most people's world XIs right now after a tournament that has confirmed his status as one of the most lethal forwards around. It is a far cry from France's second game of Euro 2016, when Griezmann was dropped from the XI to face Albania after a disappointing performance against Romania. He duly emerged from the bench to break the deadlock in the final minute and, five more goals later, has not looked back.
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