Frank Lampard was approached by a clutch of Costa Ricans on the final whistle, each requesting his shirt. He suggested to at least two that he would prefer to swap in the tunnel before Michael Barrantes persistence eventually paid off just as the man still contracted for another week to Chelsea joined his team-mates on the trudge towards the travelling support. Those youngsters in the party were offering thanks. The elder statesman was most likely also bidding farewell.
His partnership with Steven Gerrard had been reconvened for a little over a quarter of an hour as if for old times sake, a reminder of a bygone era offered up amid glimpses of Englands future. In some ways it was appropriate this contest should fizzle out just as the veterans brushes with this tournament did. This was all so horribly low key, with the Costa Rica focus on the knockout phase and England, for all the wide-eyed enthusiasm of their younger contingent, still choked by disappointment. Lampard conducted an interview pitch-side, nominally selected as Englands most impressive performer, but there was little to celebrate. The mood was one of despondency.
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via Football | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1mbXUUY
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