Frank Lampard Applauds England Fans After Three Lions World Cup Finale

A Frank Lampard lead England squad played to a scoreless draw against Group D winners Costa Rica to close the book on their 2014 World Cup Campaign.

After sitting out of his country’s first two matches, departing Chelsea FC legend Frank Lampard was handed the armband as Roy Hodgson opted to field a squad of back up players in their last group match.

While Hodgson remarked that England’s results “didn’t merit a standing ovation”, Lampard was pleased with the support that the traveling fans showed amid the team’s early exit.

“The fans were singing away despite that we’ve been knocked out,” Lampard said. “We are England, we expect more and they expect more, but the way they were today and throughout they are a real credit.”

“It’s a shame we couldn’t do enough to take us through and give them a longer trip.”

After earning his 106th cap for England, it may have been the last one that Lampard will earn, considering his age and the number of bright young stars that look to lockdown places for England for Euro 2016, but Lampard remains optimistic over his international future.

“I enjoyed being involved today, and I love playing for my country. I’m 36, and I’m still doing it, and if I feel like I can still offer something then I will do. But it is too soon to say,” Lampard said.

Lampard was given the full 90 minutes on the pitch and played very well, which might lead some to question why Hodgson waited until England were effectively eliminated from the tournament to give the Chelsea midfielder a chance during a tournament in which England captain Steven Gerrard was very poor, while playing in the same role.

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